As the climate of Sonargaon in Narayanganj is suitable for litchi cultivation, the value of litchi from Sonargaon is also high across the country. Again, Sonargaon’s litchi always ripens first, so the litchi of this upazila is the first to hit the market. However, due to severe drought and hailstorm, there has been a disaster in the yield of litchi. As a result, garden owners are afraid of losses.
On Saturday (May 11), one can see such a picture by visiting different litchi gardens in the upazila.
According to the information of Sonargaon Upazila Agriculture Office, Panam, Noail, Haria, Bardi, Senpara Dattapara, Bagmusha, Arjundi, Hatkopa, Darpat, Chaperbandh, Gowaldi, Tipardi, Harishpur, Bhattpur, Sonargaon Municipality, Baidyerbazar, Mogharapara, Bardi, Sonmandi, Khasnagar of Sadipur Union, There are more than two hundred litchi gardens in Chilarbagh, Dailorbagh, Folk Art Museum, Gobindpur, Gaptali, Balua Dighirpar area.
Kadmi, China-3, Mozaffarpuri, Cardamom, leaf litchi have been cultivated in these gardens. But in Sonargaon, Kadmi litchi is cultivated more. Currently litchi growers have a busy time in their litchi gardens. Many are guarding litchi gardens. Many people are collecting baskets, bamboos, ropes and other tools to sell litchi in the market. Wholesalers are also coming to the gardens to buy litchi. However, garden owners are not happy because of not getting a good price.
Taijul Islam of Sonargaon has been involved in litchi business for 40 years. Here are his 7 gardens. Taijul told Jago News that this year’s yield is very bad compared to other years. Due to the drought, most of the litchi have fallen. And the litchis that survive are smaller in size. Insects have increased in litchi.
He said, this time I got one fourth of the litchi that I got from my garden last time. Also last time we got better price of litchi. At present we are selling 3000 to 4000 taka per thousand litchi. But last time each thousand litchi was sold for 5 thousand to 6 thousand taka. As a result of the change in the climate of Sonargaon, the future of litchi business is looking bleak. I am in doubt whether to keep litchi garden in the future or not.
Kamrul Hasan Shimul, owner of another litchi garden, said, I have 57 trees in this garden. This time it budded well, but due to drought and hailstorms, the litchi fell off. This year litchi has been attacked more by insects. In my garden there is only Kadami litchi. Buyers and traders from far away buy litchi from here at wholesale prices. Litchi which is big in size is being sold at 4 thousand rupees per thousand. And I am selling small litchi for 3 to 3.5 thousand taka. Last time I made a good profit by selling litchi but this time I have to face a loss.
Sonargaon Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Afroza Sultana said that litchi of Sonargaon is very popular all over the country. But this time, due to various reasons, litchi did not grow in shape. As a result, farmers are not getting good prices. So many garden owners may have to count losses this time.
Rashedul Islam Raju/KSR
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