GOPALGANJ, Nov 30: Malta cultivation has recently started on commercial basis in Chandradighalia village under Gopalganj Sadar.
Mafizur Rahman, a grower of the village, has started farming BARI-1 malta on bighas of land.
He said two years ago, authority of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur supplied the saplings of the fruit.
The farmer said the plants are growing beautifully and there is a possibility to get production from next year.
He expressed the view that he would be able to make a profit of Tk 0.8 million to 1.0 million from the produce.
HM Khairul Bashar, senior scientific officer of BARI, said soil of the area is suitable for malta farming. He said if the juicy fruit can be grown on more land, the economy of the region would be more developed.
A good number of local farmers said malta farming is profitable for its high demand and good market price. A mature tree gives fruits around the year.
