Grape growing has had some success in Chuadanga, but behind it saplings are being sold to new growers at high prices. In Jibannagar upazila some growers are selling saplings on the strength of bunches hanging from bamboo trellises, and the report says new growers risk losing everything, as farmers did earlier with 'China orange'.
Brothers Ashraful Islam and Tarikul Islam of Hasadah village planted 750 saplings of the Purple and Baikunur varieties on three-and-a-half bighas and have harvested fruit. About 400 vines are bearing; the vineyard cost about Tk 7 lakh. At an average of 15 kg a vine, they hope for about 11,250 kg in all.
Grapes sell locally for Tk 250 to 350 a kg wholesale and Tk 300 to 400 retail. But saplings pay better than fruit: they sell each for Tk 350 to 400, and some buyers take up to 350 saplings for one to one-and-a-half bighas.
Abul Hossain, a veteran who has grown dragon fruit, malta and guava in Chuadanga for more than 15 years, has grown Baikunur grapes on a bigha of his own. He warns that farmers who jump in on a craze without being sure of the variety will face heavy losses.
Photo: Bob Nichols, USDA ARS / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Source: Dinajpur TV
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