A three-day national fruit fair has begun in Munshiganj, displaying 65 species of local fruit. This year's slogan is "Eat more local fruit, let's plant fruit trees".

Deputy commissioner Fatema Tul Jannat formally opened the fair at 10am on Thursday, 19 June, at the Munshiganj upazila parishad auditorium.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) organised the fair with support from the district and upazila administrations. Additional superintendent of police (finance and administration) Kazi Humayun Rashid and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahbubur Rahman attended as special guests. DAE deputy director Biplob Kumar Mohonto presided.

The fair has stalls of mangoes, jackfruit, lychees, guavas, watermelons, jamrul and other seasonal fruit, along with a display of fruit-tree saplings and an agricultural information and advice centre, where farmers are getting direct help.

In her speech, the deputy commissioner stressed teaching the new generation about the nutritional value of local fruit and urged everyone to plant trees as well as eat fruit.

The organisers said the fair is held every year to promote local fruit as nutritious food and to encourage and raise awareness of its cultivation. It will run until 21 June.

According to the upazila agriculture office, the main aim is to build a healthy, well-nourished Bangladesh by increasing the production and popularity of local fruit.

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