Thousands of people have achieved financial solvency by growing banana on char land of the Teesta, Buri Teesta, Khorkhoria and other rivers and adjacent areas in the district.
The extensive banana cultivation in the sandy char areas has become a profitable venture. Meher Sagor, Sobri, Malbhog, Champa and some other local banana varieties are being cultivated in the areas.
Some 500 banana saplings can be planted on one bigha of land. One sapling is selling around Tk 25 to Tk 30 according to its size and quality. A farmer earns minimum Tk 60,000 in farming banana on a bigha of land.
Sources said, local traders and wholesalers purchase banana from the orchard directly and sent those to different districts across the country.
Sources said cultivation of banana along with vegetables and other crops as relay method or share cropping system on sandy char lands is becoming popular among the grassroots cultivators.
Abdul Karim, a resident of Teesta char area said he planted 500 banana saplings last year. He has recently harvested 50 per cent of his fruit.
The farmer said he has made a profit of Tk 40,000 this season till now.
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