Bumper output of lemon in Moulvibazar
Farmers demand preservation facility, processing plant
A trader with lemon at a wholesale market in Srimongal, Moulvibazar.Photo: STAR
Farmers here have achieved a bumper production of lemon this year. But, a large quantity of lemon have been rotting due to want of a processing plant and any other preservation facility at Srimongal, the main centre of lemon marketing. So, farmers have demanded of the authorities concerned to offer facilities for preservation of lemon, a major forex earner from UK, USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. They want government patronisation in this sector. Most popular varieties of lemon are Kagoji, Jara, Jhuta, China, Elachi, Beej-shunya, and Sharboti. About 80 percent of the total demand of lemon of the country is being met from the region. According to a statistics of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), lemons are cultivatedn the region on 25,000 hectares of hilly land. The annual production of lemon is 75 metric ton, market price of which is over Tk 45 crore. Lemon cultivation started in Srimongal about 35 years ago. Just after the liberation of the country, a few people started lemon cultivation in the hilly lands of Srimongal. As the lands were fertile, they achieved a good production. Later, others also became interested in its cultivation. Now, its cultivation has been extended to Moulvibazar sadar, Rajnagar, Baralekha, Kamalganj, Kulaura, and Juri upazilas in Moulvibazar, Bahubol and Chunarughat upazilas in Habiganj and Beanibazar upazila in Sylhet. Md Ahad Miah, chairman of Srimongal municipality said lemon cultivation gained popularity fast and became a major source of income from the seventies. Now, people of 10 upazilas in Sylhet region are involved in lemon cultivation, said Ahad Miah. Anukul Chandra Das, a lemon cultivator of Srimongal said the peak season of lemon harvesting started from the last week of May. He has been cultivating lemon on his 50 acres of land for the last six years. Now, he is selling 10,000 pieces of lemon daily. He sold lemon worth Tk 16 lakh last year. He has a plan to expand his lemon garden. Shachindra Deb, another lemon cultivator at Muhajirabad village said he started lemon cultivation in 1973. At the initial stage, he owned only 10 bighas of land where he began its cultivation. Ultimately, he cultivated lemon on 40 acres of land. Mukter Ali at Goalbari village under Juri upazila said although lemons are produced throughout the year, but pest attack on lemon garden was a regular feature. But its production was not decreased, rather increased following implementation of modern technology in lemon cultivation. The main wholesale market at Srimongal has been flooded with lemon this year. There are more than 20 lemon warehouses in Srimongal. Warehouse owners are trading lemon with 4 percent commission. Wholesalers from different parts of the country are thronging here in large number.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments