Bumper litchi yield expected in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Mar 11 (BSS): Growers, agriculturists and traders concerned are expecting a bumper production of litchi as most of the trees have sprouted massively due favourable weather everywhere in the region.

While visiting some of the litchi-producing areas, this correspondent found that the growers were very busy taking care of their trees with the hope of getting more yield.

Senior Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Centre Dr Alim Uddin said massive budding in the litchi trees amid the favourable climatic condition predict a bumper production of the juicy fruit this season.

He said the trees have started getting fruit-setting stage after ending the budding phase due to the favourable weather.

Litchi cultivation has become very popular as hundreds of farmers have achieved self-reliance through farming the fruit on a commercial basis in recent years.

The farmers and commoners have been cultivating high yielding varieties including China-3 and Bedana and early varieties like Bombay and Madrazi litchi on more lands following repeated bumper production and lucrative prices.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said more than 90 percent litchi trees of all the small, medium and big-sized litchi orchards and homesteads have blossomed.

Hazrat Ali, deputy director of the DAE, Rajshahi, said the massive spouting predicts bumper litchi production this season in the region if the climatic condition remains favourable till June next.