Mintu Abdur Rahman, Rangpur :
A bumper litchi production is expected in different districts under greater Rangpur during this year.
About 90 per cent of the litchi trees in the orchards and homesteads have already bloomed in the region. The growers are passing busy days taking care of the trees in homesteads and orchards.
Sirajul Islam, a litchi grower of Ranipukur area at Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur said that more than 90 percent of litchi trees have bloomed so far in his orchard signaling an excellent production of it this season. He is also optimistic of getting satisfactory profit by selling the fruit in markets.
Mizanur Rahman, a litchi grower of Laldighi village at Taraganj upazila in Rangpur district said that he has over hundred litchi trees in his orchard. He has cultivated Bombay, China 2 varieties of litchi. He is expecting a good output of his produce this season.
Abul Kashem, another litchi grower at Santospur village under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district said that his effort of cultivating litchi has proved successful as he has been achieving good profit through its cultivation during last few years. He has 100 litchi trees in his orchard. He has cultivated China-2, China-3 variety of litchi. More than 95 percent litchi trees in his orchard have already bloomed.
Deputy Director of the DAE Rangpur S M ALI ASRAF said that the prospect of litchi is bright in the region. Being a lucrative fruit item its commercial cultivation on the increase in the region in recent years. Farmers have already started taking adequate preparations to make litchi cultivation a success. He advised the cultivators to spray adequate medicine on litchi trees to combat possible pest attack at the time of fruit formation stage after budding to achieve good yield.