In various orchards of Meherpur district, the lychee trees sway with clusters of red and green lychees. Despite the low production of this sweet fruit, it continues to be sold in the capital city of Dhaka and various districts across the country to meet the demand. Already, eight varieties of lychees have entered the market. A grand festival of lychee sales is underway throughout the district. Lychee farmers are busy with the market rush.
Despite the adverse effects of drought, heatwaves, and pests, lychee production has decreased, yet orchard owners are raising prices. With the start of the sale of eight varieties of lychee, farmers are occupied with caring for Bombay, Ata Bombay, and China Three varieties. The demand for locally produced lychees from Meherpur is nationwide. Various buyers are coming to purchase orchards. The Department of Agriculture assures that lychee growers are receiving fair prices. If this trend continues, farmers will profit despite the losses.
According to information from the district's agricultural department, lychee orchards cover about 800 hectares of land. The target production of lychees in these orchards is set at about 6,000 metric tons.
Mojibur Rahman, a lychee farmer from Jaubariya village in Meherpur Sadar Upazila, said he has eight acres of land with eight and Bombay lychee orchards. There are 45 trees in total, but this year, there are no lychees on any of them. The few lychees that did grow fell due to excessive heat. However, despite the good prices this year, he may incur losses due to the reduced production.
Gangni Upazila's Hirak Ali, a lychee orchard owner from Bhatpara village, said that this year the lychee prices are good. A hundred lychees are being sold for TK 3000. Traders from various districts are buying at TK 250, per maund. Currently, the market price for one maund of lychees ranges from TK 2500 to 2700. Although there has been a downturn in production, selling lychees still brings profit.
Hafizul Islam, a lychee trader from Barishal, said he came to buy lychees and bought seven orchards upon seeing the quality of the fruit. Due to excessive rain, the lychee clusters have fallen. Later, thinking about public interest, orchard owners refunded some money. However, despite the expenses of caring for lychees, gathering them from trees, and transportation, profits are minimal. Still, due to his twenty years of experience in the business, he is continuing this year as well.
Sagar Ahmed, a scheduled worker for lychee collection, said he works in lychee orchards at this time every year. He earns TK 500, per day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. He will continue working like this for a month. When the sale of eight lychee varieties ends, the sale of Bombay and China Three lychees will begin. Not only Sagar Ahmed, but several thousand workers are working in various lychee orchards, supporting their families.
Mohan Ali, a lychee businessman in Meherpur Bazar, said that he sells two thousand maunds of lychees daily. In other years, he used to sell four to five thousand maunds from his orchard. This year, however, fewer lychees are coming to the market. Currently, one maund is being sold for TK 2700 to 3200, and Bombay lychees are being sold for TK 3200 to 3700.
Vijay Krishna Haldar, Deputy Director of Agriculture Extension Department in Meherpur district, said that there are lychee orchards covering about 800 hectares of land in Meherpur. The target production of lychees in these orchards is set at about 6,000 metric tons. Farmers are selling lychees for TK 2500 to 2700, per maund. The sale of eight lychee varieties has started.
Then the sale of Bombay and Ata Bombay and China Three lychees will begin. Farmers are benefiting from selling lychees in various districts, fulfilling the demand. The Agriculture Department has provided constant advice on lychee collection techniques, market-oriented cultivation methods.
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