Mintu Abdur Rahman, Rangpur :
Commercial cultivation of Malta has ushered in a new hope to the growers of different areas in Rangpur district in recent years. According to agriculturists the soil and climate of the region are suitable for farming malta and good quality of the appetising fruit can easily be grown in many areas of the region.
This popular variety of fruit can be cultivated in both orchards and homesteads. It does not require fertile land and its production cost is also lower than that of other fruits, growers said. Presently, BARI-1 variety Malta is being cultivated in the region. Around 50 Malta orchards have so far been set up in the district and growers are optimistic of making good profit from the sale of their produces, sources said. Usually, BARI-1 Malta plants get replete with flowers during the months of March to April and its harvest begins between September to October, sources said. Mamunur Rashid, a Malta cultivator of Parghat village at Ranipukur unionunder Mithapukur upazila said he has been successfully cultivating the fruitin his orchard for the last few years. He said that he grows Malta plants through grafting system.Presently, there are 130 malta trees of BARI-1 variety at hisorchard and the trees are full of fruits now. He is expecting toearn Tk 1,50,000 to Tk 2,00000 from the sale of the fruit thisseason, Mamunur further said. Officials from different agricultural departments as well ascurious people from many areas under the district and itsadjacent areas visit his Malta orchard often, he also said. If they get necessary assistance and advices from DAE on how to combatadverse circumstances like pest attack and diseases, its production can certainly be enhanced, he added.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources due to good profit and huge demand farming of malta is gradually increasing indifferent areas under the district and its adjacent districts in recent times.
Commercial cultivation of Malta has ushered in a new hope to the growers of different areas in Rangpur district in recent years. According to agriculturists the soil and climate of the region are suitable for farming malta and good quality of the appetising fruit can easily be grown in many areas of the region.
This popular variety of fruit can be cultivated in both orchards and homesteads. It does not require fertile land and its production cost is also lower than that of other fruits, growers said. Presently, BARI-1 variety Malta is being cultivated in the region. Around 50 Malta orchards have so far been set up in the district and growers are optimistic of making good profit from the sale of their produces, sources said. Usually, BARI-1 Malta plants get replete with flowers during the months of March to April and its harvest begins between September to October, sources said. Mamunur Rashid, a Malta cultivator of Parghat village at Ranipukur unionunder Mithapukur upazila said he has been successfully cultivating the fruitin his orchard for the last few years. He said that he grows Malta plants through grafting system.Presently, there are 130 malta trees of BARI-1 variety at hisorchard and the trees are full of fruits now. He is expecting toearn Tk 1,50,000 to Tk 2,00000 from the sale of the fruit thisseason, Mamunur further said. Officials from different agricultural departments as well ascurious people from many areas under the district and itsadjacent areas visit his Malta orchard often, he also said. If they get necessary assistance and advices from DAE on how to combatadverse circumstances like pest attack and diseases, its production can certainly be enhanced, he added.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources due to good profit and huge demand farming of malta is gradually increasing indifferent areas under the district and its adjacent districts in recent times.
