The Lalmi variety of bangi is grown widely in Sadarpur, Faridpur. This year growers could not bring it to market at the start of Ramadan and are facing financial losses. The melon is grown on a small scale in a few districts, but according to the agriculture department it is a Faridpur crop and is grown most in this district.

Bangi is grown in Faridpur's char areas with the holy month of Ramadan in mind. But this year, because of changes in the weather, the plants did not grow on time, nor did the fruit; everything came late. Growers usually profit from bangi every year, but this year they may lose money. At the start of last season, 100 medium-sized bangis sold for Tk 5,000-7,000; this year growers are getting at most Tk 3,000.

On the ground, growers have piled bangis along both sides of the road from Krishnapur to Sadarpur, where wholesalers come and buy straight from the roadside. Growers in Krishnapur union of Sadarpur upazila, including Ramjan Sheikh, Maksud, Nesar and Roksana, said they grow bangi every year, aiming to harvest at the start of Ramadan. But this year cold and fog meant they could not plant on time, the plants did not grow on time, and the crop reached the market late.

According to the district agricultural extension department, bangi has been grown on 802 hectares in the district this year, 532 hectares of it the Lalmi variety, which is grown most in Sadarpur upazila. This year 100 small Lalmis are selling for Tk 800-1,200, medium ones for Tk 1,500-1,600 and large ones for up to Tk 3,000.

Sabur Molla, a grower from Katakhali in Sadarpur, said: "If the Lalmi comes in at the start of Ramadan, the price and demand are high. This year some people's Lalmi came in after the sixth day of Ramadan, and most after the tenth. By then the price falls anyway, and Lalmi from all over the country also reaches the market. All in all, you do not get a good price."

Md Rafiqul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Faridpur, said: "Lalmi can be called Faridpur's traditional fruit. It is grown a little in neighbouring districts, but very little. This year the crop came late because of the cold, which may mean some losses. In future planting must start earlier, especially on high land and char land."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.