Low market prices frustrate Tangail lemon growers

TANGAIL, July 07: Hundreds of lemon growers in the district are disheartened due to the present low market prices.

Market sources said each kg of lemon is selling at Tk 15 to Tk 20 whereas it was sold at Tk 40 to Tk 50 per kg a couple of weeks ago.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Tangail, official sources, lemon was cultivated on around 1,966 hectares of land with the production target of 42,070 tonnes.

Among the 12 upazilas of the district, Mirzapur and Delduar upazilas are well-known for producing quality lemon, DAE officials added.

A good number of lemon growers said they are in a difficult situation as they do not get fair prices of their produce.

Arman Ali of Lawhati village under Delduar upazila said he cultivated lemon on one bigha of land. He achieved a bumper yield this season but he is frustrated over the present price.

During a recent visit to some local kitchen markets, this correspondent found farmers are selling their lemon at Tk 15 to Tk 20 per kg.

Sub-assistant agriculture officer of Tangail DAE Sharif Hossain said lemon production is satisfactory in the area but low market prices make the farmers disappointed.

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