Banana farming expanding in Nilphamari

NILPHAMARI, Oct 13: A good number of people have become self-reliant by growing the popular and tasty fruit on commercial basis.
DAE sources said around 1,156 hectares of land have been brought under the farming of varieties of banana across the six upazilas.
Sources said around 400 banana saplings can be planted in a bigha (30 dcimals) of land and it bear fruit within nearly a year after its plantation.
Banana cultivation requires proper tillage of land, adequate fertilisers both natural and chemical and frequent weeding.
High land is perfect for the farming.
A tree generally contain eight to 10 bunches and a bunch consists of 15 to 20 bananas.
Sagar, Malbhog, Sobri, Atia and China Champa are the popular varieties in the area.
Abdur Rahman of Itakhola union of Sadar upazila said he planted banana saplings in one bigha of land at a cost of Tk 10,000.
The farmer said he is expecting to make a profit of Tk 60,000 this season.
Trader Azizar Rahman said banana has a high demand in the market.
He said he sends banana to the southern districts and make handsome profit every season.
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