Successful malta cultivation raises hope among Thakurgaon farmers

THAKURGAON, Oct 16 (UNB): Farmer Amirul Islam from northern district Thakurgaon used to cultivate various crops, including paddy, on his one acre of land. However, he abruptly shifted his focus to planting trees for a Malta orchard a few years ago.
Amirul planted approximately 270 malta trees on his land in Ranisankail upazila's Bansbari village. The yield began last year, and he earned Tk 0.3 million (3 lakh) by selling malta. This year's yield is anticipated to be around 150 maunds from which he is expected to earn Tk 0.3 million (3 lakh), he said.
Amirul said, "I had a difficult beginning. People used to say, the tree would not grow, and I would not get any yield or Amirul has gone mad; is it possible to grow Malta on this land? At one point, Amirul has to regret - criticism like this."
Amirul Islam continued, saying, "When malta tree started to grow, people said that malta would not be sweet. I have heard many such things. Now everyone addresses me as malta Amirul."
He attributed the inspiration for the malta garden to Sanjay Debnath, the former agriculture officer of Ranisankail Upazila, and Anwar Hossain, his deputy assistant agriculture officer. All the malta trees were provided by the Agriculture Office, he said.
Ranishankail's malta are reaching surrounding areas, including capital Dhaka.
Retailers are selling malta at rates ranging from Tk 60 to 70 per kg in different markets of the upazila. Malta has become a common commodity in various bazaars and alleys of Ranisankail Upazila.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), 420 farmers have cultivated malta on a total of 28 hectares and 6 acres of land in the upazila.
The Agriculture Office reports 513 metric tonnes of malta worth around Tk 15 million (1.5 crore) have been produced in Ranisankail upazila this year.