GOPALGANJ, July 31: Pomelo cultivation has ushered in a new hope among the growers in Gopalganj Sadar and Kasiani upazilas in the district as the cultivators are benefiting greatly from the produce.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), a total of 53 hectares of land have been brought under pomelo cultivation in the district with the production target of 285 tonnes.
The fruit is growing on 26 hectares of land in the two upazilas in the district.
Tipu Sheikh of Chapail village under Gopalganj Sadar said he is growing pomelo on 15 decimals of land near his homestead.
The farmer said he earns Tk 70,000 to Tk 75,000 annually from the produce from his 21 lime trees.
A pomelo tree gives above 200 fruits annually market price of which is around Tk 4,000.
One pomelo is sold at Tk 20 to Tk 25 in the local market, the grower said adding, commercial pomelo farming is profitable for low production cost.
Ramesh Chandra Bramha, deputy director (Agriculture), Gopalganj, said pomelo cultivation is gaining popularity in the area for high market demand. A good number of people found the venture more profitable for high yield amid favourable weather.
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