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A good yield of Baukul, a plum variety, has made the cultivators of the district jubilant during the current season.
Because of huge demand its cultivation is on the rise in different areas of the district. Its cultivation has also brought financial solvency to many farmers in recent years, sources further said.
Its farming is gradually increasing in many areas including Balua Mashimpur, Saran, Jaigirhat at Mithapukur, Shanerhat, Chatra of Pirganj, Mahiganj area of Rangpur Sadar, Alampur, Ikorchali under Taraganj upazila in the district.
A number of farmers told this correspondent that earlier they had been struggling a lot by cultivating paddy only as they have not been getting good price of it for the last few years. But at present Baukul cultivation has brought significant change in their life, they further said. Like previous years the grower are getting good price of their produce. It is alleged that owing to huge production the price of the produce is a bit lower this season but it is still satisfactory in comparison with the price of paddy and some other crops.
Presently it is being sold at Tk 750 to Tk 850 per maund, though it was sold between Tk 900 to Tk 1,000 per maund last year.
Kashem Mia, a Baukul grower of Balua Mashimpur area in Mithapukur upazila said due to easy cultivation process and impressive profit farmers are showing their interest in its cultivation in recent years. During last few years he made considerable profit from the sale of the crop which has encouraged many farmers of his area and adjacent areas to cultivate it on their lands.
Sariful Islam, another Baukul cultivator of Chatra area under Pirganj upazila told FE that he cultivated the fruit on one bigha of land. Last year he earned Tk 70,000 from its sale in market. This year he has already earned Tk 35,000 from sale of the produce and is expecting more profit during rest of the season, he added.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) official sources said that due to growing demands and good profit farming of Baukul and some other varieties of plum is on the rise in region.
The department is assisting the cultivators with necessary suggestions to enhance its cultivation across the district, sources added.