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<i>Storm causes huge damage to Pabna litchi orchards</i>

31 May 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

Our Correspondent, Pabna

Litchi selling at very cheap rates at a market in Ishwardi upazila as May 25 storm caused falling of a huge quantity of the juicy summer fruit.Photo: STAR

Litchi growers in Pabna are fearing loss as the storm that occurred as a consequence of cyclone Aila on May 25 caused serious damage to most of the litchi orchards in the district. Following the storm, a huge amount of litchi fell down or began to rot in the trees. Consequently, the delicious summer fruit started selling in the local market for Tk 10 to 20 a kg. According to a primary estimate, the storm damaged litchi worth Tk 20 crore in Ishwardi upazila, one of the largest litchi growing zones in the country, agriculture department sources said. Most of the trees in around 1,100 litchi orchards in Salimpur, Shahapur, Autapara, Lakhhmikunda, Pakshi and Dashuria unions of Ishwardi upazila have experienced damage, sources said. “I planted 90 trees in my 14 bighas of land. I was hopeful to earn at least Tk 4/5 lakh this year. But the storm has dashed my hope. Most of the fruit bearing trees turned bare after the storm,” said Md Abdul Khaleque, a litchi grower of village Mirkamari in Ishwardi upazila under Pabna district. “The storm destroyed both mature and immature litchis. The storm-hit litchi is rotting,” an agriculture official of Ishwari upazila said. Encouraged by last year's great success, farmers of Ishwardi upazila planted litchis in more areas of land this year. “This year 1840 hectares of lands in Ishwardi upazila was brought under litchi cultivation in Ishwardi upazila. We were hopeful of yield worth at least Tk 100 to 110 crore. But the storm damaged litchi worth at least Tk 20 crore. The total production loss would be more,” said Md Saiful Islam, additional agriculture officer in Ishwardi upazila.