Dragon fruit is selling briskly at Gourinathpur market in Maheshpur upazila, Jhenaidah. Local traders say the market, known as the capital of dragon fruit, trades fruit worth several crore taka a day through more than a hundred wholesale stalls.
Locals say trading runs from morning to evening, with buyers coming from far away and fruit stacked high in every stall. At this point in the season, traders say, fruit worth a crore taka sells every day, and after meeting the district's demand it goes to other parts of the country.
Growers here are pleased to have a large market in their own district and a fair price. Farmer Abdul Alim said they used to grow conventional crops, but strong demand and a good market have drawn them to dragon fruit. The cost of fertiliser, pesticide, labour and field care has also risen, he said; if the market pays a fair price, farmers will plant more.
Farmer Sirajul Islam said Jhenaidah's dragon fruit now reaches many regions. Government support, better seedlings and good marketing could make growers in the area more self-reliant, he said.
Maheshpur upazila agriculture officer Yasmin Sultana said dragon fruit is becoming more popular in Jhenaidah. Growing demand is bringing in farmers, and the large daily trade is helping the local farm economy.
With modern techniques, improved seedlings and proper care, she said, yields and farmers' incomes could rise further. The agriculture department is advising and supporting growers and also keeping an eye on how the market is run.
The report is by M Rabiul Islam Rabi, Desh Rupantor's Jhenaidah correspondent.
Photo: Abu Sayeed / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); dragon fruit at the Citrus Research Station, Jaintapur, Sylhet.
Source: Desh Rupantor
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