Cultivation of malta is gaining popularity in the district. A good number of farmers have attainted financial solvency by growing the citrus fruit.
Local sources said cultivators have started farming the juicy fruit commercially from the last two years.
Sub-assistance agriculture officer of DAE Joydeb said, "We insisted the farmers to bring their lands under malta cultivation. The department provides all sort support to the farmers in this connection", he added.
"I have been farming malta on 40 hectares of land for over the last two years", said farmer Mahmudul Hasan of Karnai village of Nekmarad union under Ranishankair upazila. "I have started harvesting the fruit this season", he added.
In a recent visit in the local fruit markets across the area this correspondent found locally produced quality malta is being sold at Tk 150 to Tk 200 per kg.
Farmers said they are happy over the production and market prices.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Maududul Islam said many farmers show their interest in growing the fruit on commercial basis as it proved them more profitable.
He expressed the hope that more lands would be brought under malta cultivation in coming seasons.
