The sale of mulberries has started in various areas of Lahore, but prices have doubled as compared to last year. The Green Badana mulberry is being sold for Rs600 per kilogramme, while black mulberry is being sold for Rs480 per kg.
The forest department has prepared 30,000 saplings for growing mulberry in greenhouses, out of which 15,000 have been distributed. The sale of mulberry fruit begins in April and May. Green and black mulberry can be seen in the market these days. Green mulberry is known as Badana Mulberry and is more expensive than the black variety.
Agriculture expert Rizwan Ahmed said that two varieties of mulberry are common in Pakistan’s markets. One of them is ‘Mahi’, which is brought from abroad. Its special quality is that its fruit is very succulent and sweet. The expert said the other variety is ‘Kalkati’, which is planted in the vicinity of Lahore.
Even though the fruit of the Kalkati species is longer and thicker than Mahi, it is less sweet than the Mahi mulberry. Cultivation of the Mahi variety could not succeed in Lahore but it has thrived in Faislabad due to its climate.
[ Rs100 = €0,56 ]
Source: tribune.com.pk
