In Gomti union of Matiranga upazila in Khagrachhari, yellow-tinged Ball Sundari jujubes (boroi) sway across a wide field, the orchard fenced all round with netting to protect it from insects. Farmer Mahbub Member is busy harvesting jujubes from the orchard with his workers. Local people crowd into his orchard, and some pick fruit themselves to buy.

Mahbub Member said he gave up tobacco farming and planted a jujube orchard on 1 acre 60 decimals of his own land. Now 850 trees are bearing fruit, and he expects to earn about Tk 12 lakh from selling jujubes this year. Once a tobacco grower, he is now known locally as a successful jujube farmer.

Saying jujube farming has become profitable in the hill areas, the former local representative said: "There are 850 trees of four types in the orchard: Ball Sundari, BAU Kul, Apple Kul and Kashmiri Kul. Every day 10-12 workers earn their living here. This season each tree has produced 14-15 kg of jujubes, and every tree has fruited this year. The fruit can be sold for five to seven years in a row. The orchard cost Tk 4 lakh at first. Last year I sold about Tk 7 lakh worth, and this year I'm hoping to sell Tk 12 lakh worth."

Mahbub Member said: "With government support and training, I could raise output using better technology. Transport problems and fair prices are big challenges for us. If the government and the organisations concerned help more, we can profit more and also play a part in meeting the country's demand for fruit."

Dipu Tripura, a regular worker at the orchard, said: "Every morning I tend the trees and check the soil. If it's dry, I water it. I clear weeds and loosen the soil around the trees so they grow well. It feels good when the fruit of our labour goes to market tasting sweet. Growing jujubes isn't just work; it's part of our livelihood."

Matiranga sub-assistant agriculture officer Md Joynal Abedin said: "If jujubes are grown the right way, farmers can make good profits. Yields can be raised with modern technology and proper care. Farmer Mahbub Member gave up tobacco two years ago and set up the orchard. The agriculture office has given him all kinds of advice."

Matiranga upazila agriculture officer, agriculturist Md Sabuj Ali, said: "Jujube orchards do well on sunny high ground. The more sunlight an orchard gets, the sweeter its jujubes will be. The trees also have comparatively few diseases. Anyone who wants advice on setting up a new orchard of different jujube varieties will certainly get full support and the necessary advice."

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