Cultivation of local varieties of fruits on commercial basis is gaining popularity among farmers and general people at many places in five northern districts of Rangpur region in recent years, bringing a change in the agriculture pattern in the area.

Tasty, quick growing and high yielding newer varieties of fruits, developed as a result of research by scientists of the government's horticulture department, are proving to be very profitable, which is making farmers interested in fruit cultivation.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rangpur region says 3.50 lakh tonnes of various fruits worth around Tk 3,500 crore were produced this year on 23,000 hectares of land in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts.

Khandaker Md Mesbahul Islam, horticulture specialist in Rangpur regional office of DAE, said fruit cultivation has been expanding in the last couple of years, mainly through private sector initiatives, as DAE is providing all-out support.

Agriculture institutes and research organisations are carrying on research work and bringing about a revolutionary change by developing traditional fruits into high yielding varieties which give production in shorter time, he continued.

Mango, litchi, jackfruit, banana, papaya, guava, jujube, blackberry, strawberry, lotkon, olive, wood apple, berry, watermelon, etc. are very popular among the growers in this region for their high yield and good taste, he added.

A DAE source said, among the local fruits, mango alone constitutes the largest portion as 70,000 tonnes worth about Tk 1,500 crore were produced.

Presently, there are over 17.25 lakh fruit-bearing mango trees in 5,100 orchards and homesteads on about 7,200 hectares of land in Rangpur region, the source said. Besides, there are 4 lakh fruit-bearing litchi trees in orchards and homesteads, covering an area of 1,800 hectares, producing 20,000 tonnes.

The farmers are also producing 2,500 tonnes of other indigenous variety fruits this year, worth about Tk 150 crore, said DAE sources.

Jojmul Islam, a fruit farmer of Rahimapur village of Taraganj upazila of Rangpur, said, "Farmers are inclining to fruit farming as it is less costly. The trees start yielding within 1-2 years and continue for about 8-10 years. All we need is to do weeding once or twice, and apply fertiliser and spray pesticide on time."

Anwarul Islam, a fruit farmer of Chaora village under Sadar upazila of Nilphamari district, said many farmers like him have changed their fortune by producing high yielding, quick growing pricey fruits.

Md Shah Alam, additional director of regional DAE, said farmers and many people are inclining more and more towards local variety fruit cultivation as they are getting good yield and higher price, and also creating jobs for farm workers.

Shafiqul Islam Dablu Shah, president of Nilphamari Chamber of Commerce and Industries, emphasised the need for setting up fruit preserving and processing factories in the area so that the fruits can be exported.

Dr Abdur Rashid, civil surgeon of Nilphamari, said local varieties of fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can contribute significantly in making a healthy nation.