Lemon lures educated youths

A partial view of Shafiqul Islam's four-acre nursery of lemon seedlings near Telki Bazar in Modhupur upazila in Tangail. PHOTO: STAR

According to Agriculture officials in Tangail, there are 15,000 lemon gardens in Madhupur, Ghatail and Sakipur upazilas. The lemon is exported because of its taste and flavour.

It has drawn many educated youths after the export began recently. To fulfill the demand for saplings, many nurseries have also grown.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

At least 1000 plants can be planted in an one acre garden and 150 to 200 lemons can be plucked from one plant in a year. Different varieties of lemon are grown in the district.

April to September is the peak season of lemon. Plants also bear the fruit in off-season but the yield is far less than in the peak season.

But the farmers are deprived during the peak season. They have to sell lemon to traders at prices between Tk 1000 and 1500 per thousand.

According to Tangail AED, 300 small and big nurseries have sprang up in Modhupur, Ghatail and Shakipur upazilas to supply saplings to gardens.

The Deputy Director of Tangail AED told the correspondent that lemon cultivation is increasing in the district after its export started.

On the other hand a farmer can earn much money by established a nursery of lemon seedling.

AED sources said there are 35,000 people engaged in lemon farming in the district.

Niren Hagidog, a lemon farmer in Pachismaile Modhupur upazila, said he earned about Tk eight lakh from his four gardens on five acres of land. Niran said, this is the first duty far a lemon farmer to keep the garden cloudless and second duty is, use necessary fertilizer at the bottom of the lemon trees.

Abdul Wahed in Sakipur said exporters bought his lemon last year. he earned about Tk seven lakh from his four-acre garden.

Many unemployed youths have become a rich by established lemon gardens and nurseries for lemon seedlings.

Shafiqul Islam of Talki village in Madhupur upazila was unemployed after graduation. He is now a rich men after he set up a nursery on four areas of land near Talki Bazar.

Shafique said, various kinds of lemon seedling found in his nursery. Every year, he sells about 30,000 seedling and earns about Tk three lakh, he said.