Jahapur in Madhukhali upazila is known as the village of litchis. After meeting the district's needs, its litchis go to various districts across the country. For several decades they have earned a good name, and they taste good too. Now litchis are grown widely not only in Jahapur but in at least 10 to 12 villages around it.

Almost everyone in Jahapur village of Jahapur union has a litchi orchard. It is hard to find a single home without an orchard or tree; there are litchi trees in every courtyard and field.

Litchis have been grown for nearly two decades in Jahapur, Doptordia, Tengrakandi, Monohordia, Char Monohordia, Kharakandi and Mirzakandi villages of Jahapur union, and in Chandpur and Chotorbazar Kandi villages of Chandpur union in neighbouring Faridpur Sadar. The Mozaffarpuri variety is grown most here.

A visit found small, large and medium-sized green litchis hanging from the trees in the orchards, and on many trees red, green and pink litchis in bunches. Growers said full picking would be possible at the end of May and in the first week of June.

According to the agriculture department, litchis have been grown on about 30 hectares in Jahapur, with the potential to produce 9 to 10 tonnes a hectare. Barring disaster, growers hope for a better yield than last time.

Jahapur orchard owner Abdus Sattar Sheikh told Jago News that because litchis are more profitable than other crops, farmers in the area are becoming more interested in growing them commercially.

Jahapur grower Sultan Ahmed told Jago News that the trees had borne plenty of fruit this time and he was hopeful of a good yield.

Shafiqur Rahman Shafiq of Dostordia village told Jago News that each of about 250 families in the area grows litchis, and every family has litchi trees or an orchard. The litchis here are tasty and in greater demand, he said. Because of drought since the start of the season the yield is somewhat lower, but growers still hope to make a profit.

Another grower, Md Abdur Razzak, told Jago News that wholesalers from various areas come and take the litchis. Because of their good quality, demand is high, so the litchis from here go to many parts of the country.

Rabiul Islam, a litchi seller at Borga Bazar in Shekhar union of Boalmari, said the litchis had not yet fully ripened and it would take another 10 to 15 days to get ripe fruit.

Trader Raju Molla, who came to buy litchis, told Jago News that in past seasons he had sold litchis from Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Ishwardi and other places, but now he no longer needs to travel far. Although large, sweet litchis are found in other regions, Jahapur's litchis have some distinct qualities: good colour, good quality and good taste, he said.

Local Union Parishad chairman Shamsul Islam Bachchu told Jago News that the village has become known almost nationwide for its litchis. Litchis are now also grown on several hundred acres of surrounding land, and their reputation has spread across the country, he said.

Madhukhali upazila agriculture officer Alvir Rahman said litchis were being grown on about 30 hectares this year, and a hectare usually produces 9 tonnes. If a hundred litchis sell for Tk 200 to Tk 500 on average, earnings will be about Tk 5 crore, he said.

Faridpur DAE deputy director Md Ziaul Haque told Jago News that for several years litchis have been grown commercially in Boalmari and in Chanpur of Sadar upazila as well as Madhukhali. The quality of litchis in this region is very good, so demand is high and cultivation is growing day by day. In future Faridpur could become a brand for litchis, he said.

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