Nasir Howlader of Porgolla village, Pirojpur Sadar upazila, now has a malta orchard of about 16 bighas. He expects to sell about Tk 2 million worth of fruit this season, up from about Tk 1.6 million last year, although heavy rain has knocked off some fruit, Krishi Shomoy reports.
Nasir began farming with Bau kul (a jujube variety) in 2009. After that succeeded he tried BARI Malta-1 on one bigha, did well and expanded. His Howlader Krishi Khamar also grows papaya and vegetables on about three bighas, making some 20 bighas of mixed farming, and he plans to try strawberries next.
Eight workers look after the orchard. Sujan Mir of Brahmankathi village said he has worked there for about five years, fertilising, spraying, tending the trees and picking fruit, for Tk 18,000 a month plus lunch and medical costs.
His nephew Md Nadim Sheikh said Nasir began small on an agriculture officer's advice and expanded once the results came; many in the area now grow malta after seeing him, and about 70% of local people depend on farming. His malta goes to Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts.
Reported by Krishi Shomoy's Pirojpur correspondent.
Photo (illustrative): green citrus on the tree. Photo: AerobicFox / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Source: Krishi Shomoy
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