Jujube (boroi) farming in Magura Sadar upazila is showing new promise. Rising interest in the Balsundari, Apple and Kashmiri varieties in particular has given farmers hope, and thanks to favourable weather and soil, jujube farming is becoming more popular in the area by the day.

In villages across the upazila, mixed fruit orchards grow mango, watermelon and winter vegetables such as brinjal, cauliflower and potato alongside jujube. Ripe fruit hangs throughout the orchards, and with good yields and market demand, farmers expect profits this season.

Md Pikul Hossain, a farmer from Mithapur village in Sadar upazila, said commercial cultivation is growing because the local soil suits jujube. "There is a lot of market demand for Balsundari and Apple jujube. I hope to make a good profit this time even after costs. Wholesalers from Dhaka and other districts have already been in touch," he said.

He added: "Improved Apple jujube trees are small but give high yields. People who were not interested in jujube before are now turning to it after seeing the profits."

Shawkat Hossain, a farmer from Rautara village, said: "Jujube farming costs relatively little but the profit is good. Alongside jujube, dragon fruit, watermelon and winter vegetables have also become a major source of income for their families."

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