Dragon fruit farming is gaining traction from several young farmers in northern Bangladesh’ Lalmonirhat district, due to a perceivable higher demand.
One commercial dragon fruit-grower started his orchard in 2019 when he was working at a private firm, inspired by videos on YouTube. He invested in an orchard near at his village home in Kumrihat. The trees started to bear fruits in only eight months. Now each tree yields 12 to 15 kilograms of fruit.
From the first harvest, he sold produce worth Tk 10,000 and gave away the rest, worth about Tk 70,000, to his relatives and neighbours. He is happy for the bumper output this year and hopes to make a big profit.
A trader in the district town said there was a high demand for the fruit. “Even we get advance payment from the customers as supply is limited since only a few farmers are growing it.”
Shamim Ashraf, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in the district, told thedailystar.net hat proper and timely care was essential for the cultivation of the fruit, which grows only on high land. “Although many farmers are keen to cultivate the fruit, they are unable to do so because a huge amount of investment is necessary.”
[ Tk100 = €0.99 ]