Agriculture Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury emphasized the importance of boosting local fruit production to fulfill nutritional needs. With current tendencies towards exotic fruits like apples and grapes, he highlighted that local fruits surpass them in quality and taste.
This message was delivered at the National Fruit Fair -2025 inauguration at the Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh. Chowdhury elaborated on the national fruit fair's plan to operate across 64 districts and upazilas to increase public awareness about local fruits.
Encouraging the consumption of local produce, the advisor mentioned that such practices could conserve foreign currency. He noted the export potential of local fruits like mangoes, jackfruits, and guavas, pointing out existing exports to China that benefit local farmers.
A seminar titled "Local Fruits in Health, Nutrition and Commercialization: Current Perspective, Challenges and Prospects" accompanied the fair. Chowdhury revealed that Bangladesh imports approximately 8.50 lakh tons (850,000 tons) of fruits, mainly apples, oranges, malta, and grapes, costing around Taka 10,000 crore (US$853 million). However, the ongoing cultivation of orange and Malta is projected to decrease this dependence.
The advisor urged citizens to plant at least one fruit tree annually and incorporate local fruits into their diet daily. The fair, open to the public from 10 am to 8 pm, showcases fruit farming technologies and offers chemical-free fruit varieties.
Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian presided over the seminar. The event's theme encourages increased local fruit consumption and tree planting.
Source: BBS News
