Supradip Chakma, adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs, has said hill fruit is tasty and represents the future of organic food. He said this year's hill fruit fair is not just an exhibition but a wonderful blend of the scent of the hill soil, women's labour and natural wealth.

The adviser said this as chief guest at the opening of the five-day hill fruit fair (1–5 July) at the Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex on Bailey Road in the capital on Tuesday 1 July. The media were informed on Wednesday 2 July.

He said this year's fair was designed with the health of the capital's busy, mechanical life in mind. If a fruit "hub" could be created in the capital, Dhaka residents would be able to taste hill fruit directly. Hill women are playing a significant role in growing organic fruit, and the government is giving them incentives and support. He said agriculture department research has now made it possible to produce fruit twice a year in the hills, which he described as revolutionary progress.

Organic fruits at the fair include the 2.5 kg "Brunei King" mango, Chiang Mai mango, rambutan, passion fruit, foreign papaya, hill pineapple, jackfruit, mango and banana.

The opening was chaired by Md Abdul Khaleque, secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. Those present included senior secretary M A Akmal Hossain, Chittagong Hill Tracts Task Force chairman Sudatta Chakma, Rangamati Hill District Council chairman agriculturist Kajal Talukdar, Bandarban Hill District Council chairman Professor Thanzama Lusai and Khagrachhari Hill District Council chairman Jiruna Tripura.

A total of 30 stalls are taking part. The fair runs until 5 July, from 9am to 8pm every day.

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