Output, fair price bring smile on Baukul farmers’ faces

Roving Correspondent

JOYPURHAT, Mar 10: Repeated bumper productions and fair market price have brought smile on the faces of Baukul (a kind of hybrid variety plum) growers in the district this season.

Sub-assistant agriculture officer of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Azizur Rahman said commercial farming of Bukul is expanding in the region as a good number of marginalised peasants have attained financial solvency by producing the tasty fruit.

Many farmers have started cultivating Baukul instead of paddy for its cost-effectiveness and substantial profit.

The fruit can be harvested within two years of the planting, the official added.

During a recent visit to some villages in the district, this correspondent found Baukul selling at Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg in the retail market and Tk45 to Tk 50 per kg in the wholesale market.

Growers said they were happy as they achieved a bumper yield of the fruit.

"Present market price is also satisfactory", they added.

"I have a baukul orchard on 13 decimals of land. I started raising the garden four years ago spending Tk12,000," said farmer Prodip Kumar of Akkelpur upazila.

"I achieved bumper yield in the last two consecutive years," the grower added.

DAE officials said Baukul farming is a profitable venture.

"We encourage farmers to bring more land under cultivation of the fruit. The department provides all necessary supports in this regard", he added.

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