Al Amin :
Foreign exotic fruits cultivation is gaining popularity in the country as demand for nutritional fruits on rise in recent years.
Per person intakes some 85 grams of fruits against the need of 200 grams in a day. Meeting the fruit deficit, the country depends on imported fruits, mainly during off season.
But, the consumers can avail locally produced fruits round the year by next five year as many foreign fruits are now growing in the country and are being harvested in the off season, according to the Year Round Fruit Production for Nutrition Improvement Project.
Many gardeners are now producing the foreign fruits like Dragon, Cashew Nut, Longan, Avocado and Rambutan in different parts of the country, thanks to their taste and nutritional value as well as government policy support, it said.
Visiting different horticulture centres in Madaripur, Patuakhali and Kashiani of Gopalganj, this correspondent found that there are several kinds of foreign fruits, which are totally new as well as value added.
The authorities of the centres are working for expanding of the fruits across the country.
Dr Mehedi Masood, Director of Year Round Fruit Production for Nutrition Improvement Project under Agriculture Ministry, told The New Nation, “The country Has 73 horticulture centres and 96 verity of mangos there. Of the varities, sixteen are foreign including world-reputed Mia Zakir mango.”
People will be able to buy mango or any other locally produced fruits as much as available round the year within next five year,” Masood said.
We are working for expanding foreign fruits like Avocado, Rambutan, Persimon, Sapota, Thai Custard apple (Sorifa), etc in the country.
Avocado is sold in super shops of our country at Tk 1,000 to 1,500 per kg. A tree bears 40 to 45 kgs avocado in a year.
Avocado can be grown in house yard and rooftop. Some 35 to 40 trees can be planted in one bigha land. That is Tk 1.5 million to 02 million can be earned by cultivating avocado in one bigha land a year, the project director said.
Horticulturists said that they have become successful in producing avocado in the country.
It is one of the most popular and valuable fruits in international market.
They are getting good response in selling avocado seedlings from their centres and are optimistic of the prospect of avocado.
Avocado is mainly grown in Mexico and America. But the fruit is popular in rich countries due to its deliciousness and high nutrition value. The fruit is similar to guava and papaya and deep- green in colour.
New and exotic tropical fruit longan is an off-seasonal fruit in the country and gaining popularity for its taste and demands at markets.
With taste similar to lychee — its better-known family member from soapberry species of the fruit, Longan has a bright prospect.
Longan originates is southern China. But currently the fruit is being grown widely in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Taiwan. Owing to its export value, the fruit is also being grown commercially in many other countries across the world.
The tropical fruit is gradually gaining popularity among orchard owners in the country for its high demands at local markets.
Rambutan, another foreign fruits, is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae. The name also refers to the edible fruit produced by this tree.
