Rangpur farmers expect bumper litchi production

RANGPUR, Mar 19: The farmers of Rangpur division are much delighted witnessing the blooming litchi trees in different areas under the region that is predicting a bumper yield of the fleshy and juicy fruit this year.
At the end of winter season the litchi trees of the region began to replete with flowers making the growers  hopeful about attaining a bumper production of the popular fruit this season.
About 90 per cent of the litchi trees in the orchards and homesteads of the region have already bloomed. The growers are passing   busy days taking care of the trees in homesteads and orchards.
Sirajul Islam, a litchi grower of Ranipukur area at Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur told The Financial Express  that more than 90 per cent of litchi trees have bloomed so far in his orchard signalling an excellent production of the fruit this season. He is also optimistic of getting satisfactory profit by selling the fruit in markets.  
Mizanur, a litchi grower of Laldighi village at Taraganj upazila in Rangpur district told FE that he has over hundred litchi trees in his orchard. He has cultivated Bombay, China 2 varieties of litchi. He is expecting a good output of litchi this season.
Abul Kashem, another litchi grower at Santospur village under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district told The Financial Express that his effort of cultivating litchi has proved successful as he has been achieving good profit through its cultivation during last few years. He has 100 litchi trees in his orchard. He has cultivated China-2, China-3 variety of litchi. More than 95 per cent litchi trees in his orchard have already bloomed. Last year he earned around Tk 0.13m (Tk1,30,000) by selling his produce. If the weather remains conducive he is hopeful of achieving a good yield this year like the previous years, he added.
Deputy Director of the DAE, Rangpur, Zulfikar Haider said the prospect of litchi is bright in the region. Being a lucrative fruit item its commercial cultivation is on the increase in the region. Farmers have already started taking adequate preparations to make litchi cultivation a success.
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