Cultivation of Kalambo Lemon in four upazilas of the district has been
increasing gradually as the farmers are showing interest in the
farming due to economic returns that the crop promises.
A number of farmers started small scale cultivation of Kalambo lemon
few years back on experimental basis in four upazilas of the district
and achieved remarkable success.
Their success encouraged many others farmers in the district to raise
orchards of the juicy and extraordinary flavor fruit Department of
Agriculture Extension (DAE) officials after examining the soil in four
upazilas- Shibpur, Belabo, Monohardi and Raipura found that the
climate and soil of the district are suitable for Kalambo Lemon
cultivation and seeing the interest of the farmers the Department has
taken up an extensive programme to cultivate export quality lemon here
in four upazilas of the district.
Under the programme 50 orchards of Kalambo lemon (each orchard spread
over one bigha) was set up in four upazilas last year and this year a
total of 320 new orchards being set up in the same four upazilas of
the district . DAE supplying 160 saplings to each grower for one
orchard and also imparted training to all growers.
Besides, some farmers in different areas of the district raised a
number of orchards in their own initiative and they are at present
harvesting good quality lemon from their orchards
Deputy Director, DAE, Narsingdi Muksed Ali told The New Nation that
farmers of the district this year harvesting huge good quality lemon
from their old orchards. He said Kalambo lemon has great demand in the
local markets and other distance markets. Now this variety of lemon
are exporting in abroad specially London. Each Kilogram Kalambo lemon
are being sold at Tk 50 to 60 in the local markets which contain only
4to 5.
He said last year Narsingdi district exported 40 metric tonnes of
Kalambo lemon to foreign countries, He expect that this year Narsingdi
district will export over 60 metric tons of Kalambo Lemon to foreign
countries.
The Deputy Director said Kalambo lemon tree generally growing on high
fallow land where scope of other crop cultivation is limited. Some 200
saplings can be planted on per bigha of land, which produce an average
60 to 70 mounds. Each tree bears 80 to 100 lemons in a year He opined
that the country could earn huge foreign exchange every year by
exporting Kalambo lemon.
This correspondent recently visited a number of Kalambo lemon orchards
in Shibpur and Raipura upazilas found that the farmers harvesting
lemon from their orchards with enthusiasm. While talking to a farmer
Julhas Miah of village Dattargoan under Shibpur upazila said that last
year he achieved good production of lemon from his, 60 decimals of
land and he was earned Tk 2, 00000 selling the lemon.
This year he also getting an excellent production from his garden and
expects to earn over Tk 3, 00000 by selling lemon from his garden.
Farmer Babul Chowdhury of Adiabad Union under Raipura upazila also
narrated his successful story cultivating the Kalambo lemon in his
16-bigha land. He said this year he is getting an excellent production
from his garden. He expressed his satisfaction that for so far earned
Tk 3, 00000 and expect to earn over Tk2, 00000 the rest days of the
season.
(Our Correspondent)
