GOPALGANJ, Oct 18: Cultivation of Shahi and Red Lady papaya varieties is gaining popularity among the farmers of Kasiani upazila in the district.
Sources said people like these varieties for its colour, flavour and taste. Growers are expanding the farming due to high market demand.
Shahi and Red Lady varieties were invented by the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI). These are high-yielding variety and rich in Vitamin A.
At least 300 families in the upazila are growing the item and making a handsome profit.
Rafiqul Hasan Suman of Fukra village under Tarail Block of Fukra union said he cultivated Red Lady papaya on three acres of land spending Tk 90,000.
"I have already made a profit of Tk 2,50,000 and expecting more this season", he said.
The variety is short-duration and ensures a good return, the farmer further said.
Another farmer Miraz Sheikh of Puna village said papaya growers in the area have been facing problems like shortage of fund and lack of proper marketing and preservation facilities.
Short-term loan and proper marketing and preservation facilities can ensure fair prices to the growers and make the farming programme a success, said the farmer, adding, the government should extend its hand by solving those problem.
If the farmers can grow the item on commercial basis government can initiate to export the item in different countries, the cultivator further said.
Rashamay Mondol, upazila agriculture officer of Kasiani, said soil and weather condition in the district are favourable for growing papaya.
Growers should expand its farming to attain more profit, he added.
According to Kasiani agriculture official sources, a total of 25 hectares of land have been brought under papaya farming in the area this season with the production target of 625 tonnes which market price is above Tk 6.2 million.
