In Bangladesh's Dinajpur district, litchi production is poised for a productive season, with the fruit expected in markets shortly. The district is recognized nationally for its litchi varieties, including Madraji and Bombay, which have matured as anticipated. The Dinajpur Bedana litchi has shown improved yields compared to previous years.
Md. Zafar Iqbal, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), noted that the district hosts 9,098 litchi orchards over 5,520 hectares. The production target is 34,628 metric tons, with Bombay litchi covering the largest area of 3,223 hectares. Other varieties include Madraji (1,117 hectares), China-3 (805 hectares), Bedana (318 hectares), Kathali (56 hectares), and Mozaffari (1 hectare).
Litchi trees are prevalent in both orchards and local homes. Farmers are in the final stages of care, using pesticides and benefiting from recent rainfall, which has eased irrigation demands. Md. Amjad Ali, a farmer from Nashipur village, anticipates harvesting up to 3,500 litchis per tree from his orchard of 120 seedless litchi trees on one acre. Golam Hossain from Sikderhat village manages three orchards over 1.42 hectares, cultivating Bedana, Madraji, Bombay, and Kathali varieties.
Agriculturist Md. Faizur Rahman from the Horticulture Department indicated that Bedana and Kathali litchis will enter local markets by the end of Baishakh, with other varieties following in Jyeshtha. The Ministry of Commerce and the Horticulture Department are discussing export possibilities, engaging with orchard owners to facilitate this under governmental oversight.
Source: BSS News
