A 14-day tree fair is under way in Faridpur under the theme "Let us adorn the country with tree planting, Bangladesh before all". Among its 32 stalls, one is selling seedlings of various species for only Tk 2, and the very low prices have drawn great interest from visitors and buyers.

At the Society Development Committee (SDC) stall, hybrid aubergine and marigold seedlings are sold for Tk 2 each. Seedlings of the hybrid chilli variety "Tej Gold" sell for Tk 2.50, and aubergine seedlings of the "Per Fal King" variety are available at the same price.

People involved with the SDC stall said the initiative aims to put improved seedlings within reach of people of all classes and professions, and that they are selling at low prices to encourage more people to grow trees and vegetables.

Visitor Manik Kumar said the stall's Tk 2 seedlings had greatly increased interest among visitors and buyers, and he welcomed the initiative.

Sohanur Rahman, who sells seedlings at the stall, said interest had risen sharply because of the Tk 2 price and many people buy seedlings there every day. Buyers were satisfied at getting improved seedlings cheaply, he said, and such initiatives help encourage tree planting and vegetable growing.

Divisional Forest Officer Md Tariqul Islam said 32 stalls with various saplings had been set up at the fair, and the forest department expects sales of saplings worth more than Tk 1 lakh a day.

The fair, organised by the district administration and the district forest department on Brahmo Samaj Road in Faridpur town, was opened on Sunday 2 August by Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf, member of parliament for Faridpur-3, who cut a ribbon and released pigeons.

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