In Ishwardi, Pabna, one of the country's main litchi-growing areas, 25 to 30 percent of the crop is lost every year, costing growers about Tk 200 crore to Tk 225 crore. Harsh weather, a lack of modern technology and weak storage and marketing are to blame. Farmers and agriculture officials say a litchi research laboratory, cold storage and more modern technology could greatly reduce the losses.

According to growers, litchi is cultivated on about 3,100 hectares in Ishwardi, and the crop is worth Tk 600 crore to Tk 800 crore. Intense heat, drought, storms, pests, inadequate storage and marketing constraints destroy large quantities every year.

National award-winning grower Abdul Jalil Kitab Mondal said much fruit is lost because litchi is still picked with long bamboo poles, knocking many fruits to the ground. Using modern equipment, as in developed countries, would reduce losses, he said, and he called for a litchi processing industry.

Mostofa Zaman Noyon of Maniknagar village said rain during harvest makes litchi rot quickly, while strong sun scorches the skin black. Litchi tolerates 30 to 34°C, but this year temperatures reached 39°C and about one-third of the fruit was damaged on the trees. Faster transport and more export opportunities would help, he said.

Siddiqur Rahman Moyez, president of the central committee of the Bangladesh Krishak Samity and a national award-winning farmer, said all the litchi ripens within about 15 days and must be sold at once, and without cold storage much is lost in transport and marketing.

• **Fruit bagging:** growers say bagging reduces pest attack and improves quality, but most farmers lack training; low-cost bags and training would encourage them.
• **A litchi research laboratory** in Ishwardi to develop new varieties, improve fruit quality and advance production technology.
• **A cold store** to keep surplus fruit in the season and stabilise prices.

Ishwardi upazila agriculture officer Abdul Momin said fruit bagging is effective for yield and quality, and that cold storage and a research laboratory for new varieties are urgent; the matter has been reported to senior officials. Yields were good this year, he said, but intense heat during harvest caused losses for many growers.

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