Despite bumper production of fruits, the country’s Seasonal fruit growers fear incurring losses due to low prices of their produces due to coronavirus outbreak, experts said. The fruit growers like watermelon, lichi are facing serious difficulties in selling their products amid the on-going lockdown.
The season of fruits including mango, litchi, melon and watermelon has come during Ramadan unlike other years, they mentioned. Hence, people hope to consume seasonal fruits during Ramadan. At the same time, businesspeople also look forward to good business this year.
Usually, summer fruits come to markets between March and May, they said adding that, sadly, businesses aren’t so rosy this year for the ongoing pandemic. A farmer named Alam Sardar said, “I have spent about Tk 2.5 million to grow watermelons on 40 acres of land.” “But, it looks like I shall not get my Tk 15-16 lakh back by selling the entire produce as the market for watermelon is down this season, he added.
Ashikul Islam, a litchi farmer at Ishurdi in Pabna, told Bangladesh Post that, “The loss in litchi would be more this year because of the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.” “The bookings from different districts including Dhaka have not picked up as it was expected and traders from other districts are scared of coming for fear of Corona infection.”He said the government should look into the issue with serious consideration and make some plans to solve supply chain disruption.
Agriculture officials said the mango season is coming in few days It is time for litchi marketing, they said adding that, even though melons and watermelons came to the market ten days ago, but there are not many buyers. In this situation, the farmers and traders will face huge losses if they do not get a fair price, the officials said.
Traders and farmers said they have their hopes around the seasonal fruits. This time, many garden owners and traders are sitting idle in fear of Corona outbreak, they added. They said they did not get fair prices as marketing and supply of their products have been disturbed due to lockdown in the country for coronavirs epidemic.
Even, they did not get enough workers to pick their products at home. Rajshahi Fruit Research Center researcher Dr Alim Uddin said as it is a drought season, it causes cocoons, insects and fungi. That is why, more care including spraying on the cocoons and leaves, and application of fertilizer and water at the base of the tree is needed during adverse weather, he added.
“Mango farmers often call and report various problems. We are advising them on mobile,” he informed. The supply of agricultural inputs including fertilizers and pesticides should be ensured as per the government guidelines, he said adding that, we advise the farmers to inform the local administration in case of any deviation.
