Although there is a huge demand for litchi, people have turned their backs due to crop failure and high prices. Due to the prolonged heat wave, litchi pods in most litchi orchards have been scorched and damaged by the sun; has black color.
Due to extreme heat wave and lack of rain in the last few days, most of the litchi tree in the litchi orchard have dropped; As a result, the gardens have now become empty of litchi, whereas a few days ago, the litchi orchards in the area were full of litchi pods.
Mangalbaria is the litchi producing village of Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj district. The litchi of this Mangalbaria village has a great reputation in the country and abroad.
In reality a few trees have a small amount of litchi. Many people are selling litchi under the trees. People come from different areas. 100 Litchi are being sold for Tk. 1000. Some are taking a small amount while others have lost interest to buy after hearing the price.
Shah Bakul, who came from Manohardi, said, 'I came with interest but was disappointed. Fewer litchis this time. There are high prices. I am thinking of buying litchi from the area instead.'
Rajib Mahmud from Kapasia said, "The price is high, so I bought 50 litchi for 500 taka." Just to eat I wanted to take it but had to change my decision because of the price
It is known that about two hundred years ago, a police officer of Mangalbaria village from distant China first brought this variety of litchi seedlings to this village. Later, after the fame of this litchi spread, the seedlings collected by the ‘pen’ method spread in the village and litchi cultivation started.
Abdul Majid, a litchi farmer of Mangalbaria village, said, "We have two hundred litchi trees of our own. I also bought hundreds of litchi trees. Litchi plants were full of buds at the beginning of the season. But this time due to natural calamities and the extreme heat of the last few days, most of the litchi trees in the litchi garden have fallen. As a result, the trees in the litchi garden are empty of litchi. As a result, we are now in trouble.
He said that Tk. 8 to Tk. 10 crore worth of litchi is sold from this village every year, but this time the litchi farmers are facing severe losses.
In this regard, Pakundia Upazila Agriculture Officer Noor –e- Alam said that there are about 5 thousand litchi trees in Mangalbaria village. Litchi worth Tk. 8 to Tk. 10 crore used to be sold from this village, but this time due to natural hot weather, litchi farmers have faced a lot of losses like other crops. Before the start of the season, we have distributed pamphlets on litchi cultivation issues through yard meetings with litchi growers in the area. Also 4 Assistant Agricultural Officers were instructed to take stock of litchi plantations and provide regular advice to litchi growers. Litchi farmers have faced losses due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Kishoreganj Agriculture Extension Department (Khamar Bari) Deputy Director Md. Abdus Sattar said, severe drought and lack of proper irrigation facilities have adversely affected the yield of Mangalbariya variety of litchi this time. Farmers have to play a strategic role keeping in mind the issue of irrigation facilities.