JOYPURHAT, Sept 12: Malta farming has been gaining momentum across the Barind area over the last few years as it requires less investment but generates good profit.
The farmers have started achieving bumper production of the citrus fruit this season due to favourable weather condition and timely supply of necessary agri-inputs.
They are also happy over the market price of their produce.
Commercial cultivation of the fruit has begun in Naogaon, Joypurhat, Sirajganj, Chapainawabganj and Bogura districts of Rajshahi division. Newly-harvested malta has already started appearing in the local markets.
The farmers who cultivate other fruits in the region are now showing interest to grow malta for high profit.
"As it requires less water, its cultivation is suitable in the drought-prone Barind area. I am growing the juicy fruit on 23 decimals of land this season," said farmer Anwarul Islam under Dupchanchia upazila of Bogura district.
Both the organic and chemical fertilsers are essential to increase the yield, said sub-assistant agriculture officer of DAE Azizur Rahman.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) is expanding both technical and financial support to the farmers for boosting malta production in the region.
Farmers Abdul Ali of Khetlal upazila in Joypurhat said hundreds of grassroots families have attained financial solvency by cultivating malta.
Malta cultivation is expanding across the northern districts for high profit, said deputy director of DAE Sudhindrnath Roy. "We provide logistic support among the eager farmers to boost the yield", he added.
