Our Correspondent :
Ishwardi litchi farmers are hopeful as prices are getting better after the Bombay lychee crop failure. However, the fear of rain is still feared. After much apprehension, litchi has grown in Ishwardi, known as the capital of Bombay litchi. For the last 4 days, a huge quantity of Mozaffar (Desi Anti) variety of litchi has been sold. And the Bombay litchi has started coming to Mokam little by little from the garden. Apart from Sahapur, Awtapara and Joynagar litchi mokams of Ishwardi, litchis are also being sold from the garden.
The litchi growers are seeing a glimmer of hope as the price of Bombay litchi has gone up amidst many disappointments. Because the local litchi is being sold at Tk. 2,500 to Tk. 2,800 per thousand in Mokame and Bagan depending on the size. Last year, Bombay litchi was sold at Tk. 1,300 to Tk. 1,500 per thousand.
It will still take 6-7 days for the Bombay litchi to reach the market in full ripening. During this period, there is still a risk of severe damage to litchi during storms and especially rains.
“We are worried about rain now,” said Shahmat, a litchi farmer in Salimpur. When it rains, the roots of litchi will rot and insects will be born. And if there are insects in litchi, it will fall and the price will not be good.
Last year, litchi worth Tk. 500 crore was sold in Ishwardi. This time, due to low yield of Bombay litchi, it will come down to less than half, according to farmers and agriculture office sources. Compared to last year, the yield of litchi has been less than half. Farmers say that most of the litchi growers in the region are exposed to the litchi season all year round.
Minhaj Fakir, chairman of Sahapur UP, said there are many farmers who depend only on litchi cultivation. But this time it is a hostile time for litchi.
After that, due to low yield of Bombay litchi, the farmers are expecting the price to be higher, i.e. more than Tk. 3,000 per thousand.
With this low litchi, now the litchi market is quite crowded. On Friday morning, the import of Bombay litchi was less in Shimultala litchihat of Joynagar. Litchi growers are hoping to get rid of the low yield if they get good prices. Atiyar Rahman, former chairman of the area, said it would still take a week for the Bombay litchi to reach the market.
