Litchi starts appearing in Rajshahi markets

With six more days left before the start of the Bangla month Joishtho, also known as "Modhumash," the juicy fruit litchi has started appearing at local markets, including those in Rajshahi city and its adjacent areas, on a limited scale.

But due to its low quantity, the price is beyond the purchasing capacity of the common public.
    
Summer will bring in abundance many other juicy fruits like mango and jackfruit in the region by the middle of this month and June, which will infuse dynamism into the local economy in the previous years.

Dr Shafiqul Islam, principal scientific officer of the Fruit Research Station, said only the local varieties of litchi have started appearing in the markets, but the Bombay variety is expected to enter the markets within the next couple of weeks.

He said many are getting benefits by growing litchi as China-3 (hybrid), Bombay and Madrazi are the most popular varieties in the region.

Litchi grows well in Rajshahi and Dinajpur but litchi of Ishwardi is very delicious and famous across the country, Dr Islam added.

Mita Sarker, Upazila Agriculture Officer, told BSS that litchi was cultivated on 3,100 hectares of land in their Ishwardi Upazila this year.

In addition to commercial farming, high-yield China-3, Bombay and Madras varieties of litchi are also being cultivated on homestead lands.

He said commercial farming of some of the fruits, especially mango and litchi, is gradually increasing in the region.

The scientist, however, mentioned that flowering in many of the trees in the region, including Ishwardi, which is famous for litchi production, has been satisfactory, which will create a positive impact on total production.
 
Seasonal traders set up makeshift shops at different points in the city, especially Shaheb Bazar, Bindurmore, Lakshmipur Bazar, Sheroil Bus Terminal, Railway Station and Court Bazaar, with eye-catching fruit.

As the litchi season arrives, every 100 litchis are being sold at Tk 300 to 450 based on quality and size.

Sellers said the price is high because the supply is scarce, but it will drop to some extent when the supply improves in the next couple of days.

Trader Shamim Hossain in the Shaheb Bazar area said many farmers are harvesting immature litchi with the hope of getting more money.

Abdur Razzaque of Kapasia village said all of his 30 litchi trees on one bigha of land have bloomed this year and there is a large number of "guti" (young litchi) on the branches.
    
Sharing his personal experience, he said a five-year-old tree can produce around 100-150 kilograms of litchis, or about 2,000-6,000 pieces of the fruit.

Most families in Borgachi, Bagmara, Charghat and Bagha have become economically solvent by cultivating litchi.

Anwar Hossain, a farmer from Nandangachhi village under Charghat upazila, said hundreds of litchi orchards have been established on the cultivable land of homesteads in this region.

"The weather seems favorable for litchi cultivation, and we are optimistic about a good yield this year," he said.

The suitable soil, favorable climate, and attractive market prices are key factors driving the widespread cultivation of the fruit in Rajshahi. Moreover, farmers are increasingly turning to litchi cultivation as a pathway to financial self-reliance.

Litchi grower Monsur Rahman shared that they earn significant profits every year from their litchi orchards, which has contributed to their economic stability.

Ershad Ali, a farmer from Parila village under Paba upazila, earned Taka 1.5 lakh from 50 Bombay variety trees last year. He expects a return of around Taka two lakh this year, provided the weather continues to cooperate.

In addition to farming, litchi trading is also flourishing in Rajshahi.

Shahidul Islam, a trader from Chapainawabganj who has been involved in litchi trading for the past 12 years, mentioned that the business is profitable, with the acreage of litchi cultivation increasing gradually each year.

 Another litchi trader, Yeasin Ali, has taken lease of a ten-acre orchard this year, cultivating China-3, Bombay, and Madras varieties. Every day, 40 laborers tend to the trees, and traders from Dhaka have already started purchasing the fruit, Ali told BSS on Wednesday.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Umme Salma said many people have become self-reliant by cultivating litchi in recent years.

She said there are hundreds of litchi orchards on more than 1,000 hectares of land that produce huge yields, which meet the local demand and are shipped to other parts of the country every year.

Salma said they are suggesting the growers harvest their litchi fruit after seven more days to maintain its quality.