Native fruits appear in the markets every monsoon, and ashphal, a small fruit rich in taste and nutrients, has now started arriving in markets across Magura. Buyers are crowding the stalls for the sweet-and-sour seasonal fruit, which is now on sale at the fruit shops in front of Government Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy College and at Chowrangi crossing.

Demand for ashphal is rising along with people's growing interest in native fruits. If supply stays adequate through the season, buyers will benefit and so will growers and traders. The fruit, from local orchards and from other parts of the country, is being sold commercially. Although small, it is valued by people of all ages for its taste and nutrition.

Ashraful Islam, a seller from the Maghirdhal area, said: "Supply is still limited because it is the start of the season, but the quantity of ashphal in the market will rise over the next few weeks. At the moment ashphal sells for Tk 150 to Tk 200 a kg depending on quality."

Ashraf Molla, a seller from Ichhekhada village, said: "Demand for ashphal as a native fruit rises every season. I buy it in the villages and sell it at a small profit. It is selling at Tk 1 a piece and Tk 150 a kg."

Buyer Sohan Khan said: "This native fruit we knew as children is hard to find these days, so as soon as ashphal reached the market many people started buying it for their families. The fruit we used to gather in orchards as children is now sold commercially."

Gynaecologist Onya Shakhari told Jago News: "Ashphal contains vitamin C, antioxidants and dietary fibre. It boosts immunity, helps digestion and keeps the body refreshed. But like any fruit, it should be eaten in moderation."

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