Home ›› 27 Sep 2021 ›› Nation
Farmers of Barishal are increasingly inclined to cultivate lemons as they can make a handsome amount of profit with low investment.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Barishal, lemons have been cultivated on 14 hectares of land in Swarupkathi of Pirojpur, Banaripara of Barishal and Jhalakathi Sadar this year.
Last year, the farmers profited Tk 3 crore. This year, they expect a profit Tk 5 crore from lemon cultivation, said the DAE sources.
Due to favourable weather conditions, lemons grow well in the region. Wholesalers’ demand for lemons is high because of the well-developed communication with the other parts of the country.
The 20-metre kilometre floating lemon market at Bhimruli in Jhalakathi and Atghar-Kuriana in Swarupkathi of Pirojpur is now buzzing with the presence of farmers and traders.
Every day, farmers bring lemons in small boats to the market.
According to the DAE, lemons are cultivated mostly in Baukathi, Shotodash Kathi, Vimruli, Kafur Kathi, Gavaramchandrapur, Vasonda, Dumuria, Khejura, Kirtipasha, Mirakathi of Jhalakathi, Atghar, Kuriana, Jindakathi, Andakul, Shotodaskathi, Adamkathi of Swarupkathi and Syedkathi, Bisharkandi, Norerkathi, Alta, Bangkura, Kachabalia, Gava, Bastukathi, Indrer Haola of Banaripara in Pirojpur district.
At least 10,000 families in the areas have become financially solvent by cultivating lemons.
Kartik Debonath, 60, farmer of Atghar-Kuriana, said he has been cultivating the fruit for 40 years.
There are 200-year old lemon orchards in the area, he added.
The value of various products grown by them has increased as the number of tourists from home and abroad has increased more than before at the market.
According to locals, every day the wholesalers are buying lemons from the boat and selling them in the urban areas of the divisional city Barishal. Many are delivering freight trawlers or trucks to different districts of the country.
Formalin and chemical-free lemon are in top demand.
According to the lemon growers, the prices are higher this time as the yield is less than last year due to climate change.
Last year, a group of 80 lemons were being sold at Tk 150. This year, it is around Tk 200.
Lemon traders from Dhaka, Chattogarm, Rajshahi, Barishal, Faridpur and Madaripur started to come to the market, said farmer Nazrul Islam.
Sabuj Mazumder, upazila member of Adamkathi Union Council in Swarupkathi , said due to Covid-19 pandemic, the demand of lemons has increased and the farmers are happy as they can earn well.
Banaripara UP Chariman Abdul Mannan echoed the voice of Sabuj Mazumder.
Jhalakathi DAE Deputy Director Md Fazlur Rahman said the officials from the department always help the lemon farmers so that they grow the fruits in a proper way.
