Magura litchi growers expect bumper yield

MAGURA, Apr 24: Magura farmers are eyeing bumper production of litchi this season due to favourable weather.
During the visit, this correspondent found that workers are now busy at litchi orchards at Isakhada, Rautara, Alamkhali, Khalimpur, Meerjapur, Kanchanpur, Alaipur, Hazipur, Nandalalpur and Mithapur villages. Traders from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal and other districts are coming to Magura as owners have already sold 70 per cent of litchi orchards to them.
According to Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources, there are plenty of green litchis in the orchards. Growers hope to earn profit from litchi sales if weather remains favourable.
Rahim Uddin, a farmer of Kanchanpur village under Sadar upazila, said, "We have failed to make profits from litchi in last two years due to the coronavirus pandemic and fall in production. This year, we are optimistic to make handsome profits".
Nitay Poddar of Mithapur village said, "This year I have sold my three-bigha orchard at Tk 0.25 million (2.5 lakh). As weather is favourable, we are expecting bumper production".
He further said, "Witnessing ample litchi in the orchards, traders are offering lucrative prices."
Another farmer Badrul Alam of Isakhada village said, "This year, I have sold my litchi orchard of five bighas at Tk 0.35 million (3.5 lakh) as against Tk 0.2 million (2 lakh) last year. Bumper production and high interest of traders have made us hopeful this year".
DAE Magura deputy director Dr Hayat Mahmud said, "We are keeping the litchi orchards under our close observation. Recent rainfall has come as a boon."
He further said, "Earlier, we were advising farmers to water litchi plants due to scorching heat. Recently, we have been provided with 108 spray machines. These machines have come as a boon to our litchi growers. Farmers were able to spray their litchi trees with insecticide boosting litchi production. If weather remains favourable, litchi growers will get good return."
"Litchi is changing the lot of Magura farmers. About 12 thousand people in the district directly or indirectly depend on litchi cultivation for their livelihood," he added.

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