Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
The golden buds of litchi are filled in bunches on the young leaves of the trees. At the end of Fagun about 70 per cent of the trees in Ishwardi, known as the capital of the Bombay variety of litchi and one of the most famous for litchi cultivation, have buds. Farmers are trying their best to maintain litchi yield. Farmers said that most of the trees have litchi buds, so the yield will be much better this time. Orchard owners and litchi growers who depend on litchi orchards are not afraid of financial catastrophe as the environment is favorable. The 20 trees that did not have buds had good yields last year. Due to natural causes, once the litchi yield is good, the next time the buds do not come or come less.
Last year, due to the impact of climate change, the litchi production in Ishwardi was severely affected. Due to non-emergence of buds, especially the Bombay variety, the yield of litchi was reduced by 50% at that time and the farmers involved in litchi cultivation fell into extreme financial hardship. It has been learned from talking to litchi farmers and agriculture department.
Kitab Mandal alias Litchi Kitab, a national medal winning farmer in litchi cultivation, farmers in rural areas of Ishwardi are mostly dependent on litchi cultivation. Many people have now started litchi orchards in the crop lands of rural areas of Ishwardi for financial reasons. And the income of litchi garden depends on the sustenance of these farmers throughout the year.
This time the garden is full of buds. Some trees did not bud due to natural causes. Which happens every year. However, there is no fear of catastrophe like last time and there is a possibility of bumper harvest, he said.
Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Mandal said litchi is the main cash crop of Ishwardi. Each fruit tree bears 3,000 to 30,000 litchis. Litchi cultivation has increased this time as compared to last year.
This time litchi has been planted in 3,400 hectares of land in Ishwardi. An additional 800 hectares of land has come under litchi cultivation as compared to last year. Once the litchi yield is good due to natural causes, the next time the buds do not come. That is why about 20 trees did not have buds.
He added that 20 to 25 thousand metric tons of litchi is produced here every year. More than Rs 500 crore worth of litchis is sold in Ishwardi every year. Climate and natural environment have so far been favorable for litchi cultivation.
The Bombay litchi usually blooms in late January and early February. But due to climate change, buds are coming late now. As the incidence of winter decreases, 20% of the trees have less sprouts and more young leaves.
However, as the buds of Mozaffar variety of litchi came in early January, there was no problem in this variety.
Bombay litchi is the most cultivated crop in Ishwardi. Lychee buds have less disease, he said, adding that if the weather is favorable next month, the bumper crop of litchi will be harvested.
