Our Correspondent :
Litchi growers in Brahmanbaria are anxious over rough weather as they didn’t get the desired yield of litchi this year. Litchi has been planted this year in a total of 375 hectares of land in the upazila. Paharpur UP, Bishnupur UP, Champaknagar UP and Singerbill UP of the upazila have been planted more, of which only 200 hectares of land has been planted in Paharpur. The hilly red sandy soil of this area is very suitable for litchi cultivation.
According to the farmers, different varieties of litchi are cultivated here – native, China-3, Bombay, Cardamom and Patna. Among them, China-3 and Bombay varieties are in high demand due to their large and succulent taste. Litchi growers said, in the area, the amount of fertilizer and pesticide required for litchi trees, and the need for water at the base of the trees, if all goes well time to time. So, the right amount of yield was expected. But due to the hostile weather, extreme temperature of 39 degrees, drought and lack of water source, farmers are not able to supply the required amount of water at the base of the litchi tree.
Many farmers say that good quality pesticides are needed to control litchi diseases. A garden needs a lot of pesticides. So the pesticide traders take the advantage. For this, the control of insects and diseases of the tree was not eliminated. As a result fruits are falling from the tree at innumerable rates. And due to these reasons, the farmers are being deprived of getting the expected fruits.
It is learned that the daily wholesale market of Aulia Bazar and Champaknagar Bazar of the upazila is open from 5 am to 9 am. Priced in thousands, China and Bombay are priced at Tk. 2,800 to Tk. 3,000, while other litchis are priced at Tk. 1,600 due to their large size and sweetness.
Mainuddin Rubel of Vitidaudpur village said that due to severe drought and drought, litchi shells have become smaller in size this year. Litchi trees can be seen in the yard of almost every house in Paharpur UP and in the surrounding Vita houses.
Ali Akbar, a litchi trader, said some of the traders who bought litchi gardens earlier this year were facing losses.
Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer, Paharpur Area, Ashraful Alam said that the yield of litchi has not been less this year even in adverse weather conditions, but the farmers are not getting good market price of litchi. If the weather was favorable, the yield would have been better.
Noore Alam, Upazila Plant Protection Officer, said, “Although we have advised the farmers to use good quality pesticides, the farmers are being deceived into buying low quality pesticides.”
