Extreme heat taking a toll on Rajshahi litchis; growers worried

RAJSHAHI, Apr 25: Litchi growers in Rajshahi are counting significant losses as extreme heat followed by sudden spike in humidity has caused immature and semi-ripe fruits to crack on the trees before harvest.

Farmers say several days of intense heat were followed by a sharp rise in moisture levels, disrupting the normal development of the fruit.

Rapid expansion and contraction of the litchi skin under such conditions are leading to widespread splitting, affecting both quality and yield.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi, litchi cultivation covered 528 hectares in the district last year, with a production target of 3,768 tonnes.

Although the cultivated area has slightly declined to 526 hectares this season, the production target has been set higher at 3,775 tonnes. However, officials now fear that achieving this target may be difficult under the current circumstances.

Market estimates indicate that, on average, 40 litchis weigh around one kilogram, while 100 fruits weigh approximately 2.5 kg.

With an average price of Tk 400 per 100 litchis, the seasonal trade in the district was expected to reach around Tk 5 million. This projection is now uncertain due to the ongoing damage.

Data from the Rajshahi Meteorological Office show sharp fluctuations in temperature and humidity over the past several days.

On Tuesday, the temperature peaked at 39.5°C, with humidity reaching 97 per cent. A day earlier, humidity stood at around 50 per cent with a temperature of 37.6°C.

Earlier in mid-April, humidity dropped as low as 18 per cent during high temperatures, before rising sharply to nearly 98 per cent in subsequent days. No rainfall has been recorded during this period, worsening soil moisture stress.

Agriculture experts say such erratic weather creates physiological stress in litchi fruits. The skin expands rapidly under high humidity and contracts during dry conditions, eventually causing the fruit to crack.

The problem becomes more acute when humidity rises suddenly after prolonged heat.

Abdul Malek, a litchi grower from Pabaupazila, said, "We face challenges every year, but this situation is unprecedented. More than half of the fruits in many orchards have already been damaged. If the weather does not stabilise soon, we will suffer heavy losses."

Another grower, Shafiqul Islam from Godagariupazila, said the high production cost has made the situation more worrying. "We invest heavily in fertiliser, pesticides and labour. With fruits cracking like this, even recovering costs is uncertain. We are irrigating due to lack of rain, but sudden humidity is worsening the condition," he said.

Officials at the DAE attribute the situation partly to the growing impact of climate change, noting that sensitive fruit crops like litchi are particularly vulnerable to abrupt weather changes.

Deputy Director of the Rajshahi DAE, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, said farmers have been advised to apply light irrigation regularly to maintain stable soil moisture. "Mulching around the base of trees is also being recommended to retain soil moisture," he said.

He added that fruit cracking often occurs when prolonged dry conditions are followed by sudden water supply. "Balanced irrigation is crucial. With proper management, some losses can still be reduced. However, if weather instability persists, controlling the damage will be difficult," he warned.

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