|
|
Strawberry cultivation in Panchagarh
Strawberry, usually a fruit of the winter countries, has been successfully cultivated in Panchagarh district, thanks to the initiative of Jessore Golden Seed Farm.
 |
Inspired by Dr Manzur Hossain, Professor of Botany Department of Rajshahi University, the farm set a strawberry nursery at Haldharjot village on 2.7 acres of land in Omarkhana union under Panchagarh Sadar upazila and started planting saplings on July10 last year. The farm that formally opened commercial marketing of the juicy red fruit yesterday, earlier signed agreement with Agora and Nondon in Dhaka to supply strawberry at Tk 650 per kg. The two mega shops sell the fruit at Tk 850 per kg. Strawberry, which is usually eaten raw as fruit, is also used in preparing ice cream, jam, jelly, chocolate, biscuit and other foods. "In the current season 1.5 tonnes of strawberry may be produced on one bigha of land. The market price would be Tk 8/10 lakh. We hope that local farmers will collect saplings from the nursery within a short time," Hafizur Rahaman, director of Jessore Golden Seed, said at a function on the nursery premises yesterday. Thakurgaon Additional Deputy Commissioner Monzur Hasan Bhuiyan attended the function as chief guest and Professor Dr Manzur Hossain of Rajshahi University Botany Department as special guest.
"The nursery has been set up
here to spread strawberry cultivation among the farmers. The weather of
the district is favorable for its cultivation as the winter stays here
longer than many other areas of the country," Dr Manzur Hossain said at
the function.
Each plant bears around 250
to 300 grams of fruits and some 6,000 plants can be grown on a bigha of
land, Dr Monjur said. Locally produced strawberry bears a bright
prospect for export to different countries including Europe where
strawberry is not grown in winter, he said.
Other links: |
 |
|
 |