Although the farming of jackfruit was not expanded in Jhenaidah in the current season, the farmers have been receiving better prices as the yield was satisfactory. The farmers have been regaining their faith on expanding the jackfruit farming in next seasons in the district.
Aminur Rahman of Bhairaba area in bordering Moheshpur when contacted said the farmers like him were not interested to expand the jackfruit farming in the season when they were deprived of fair prices of the national fruit for last couple of years.
The tress started offering bearing naturally where there was no major nursing and management. But the yield was better and they have started receiving better prices during the season.
Farmer Mainul Islam of Kalicharanpur in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila when contacted said he sold each piece of the jackfruit at Taka 30 on an average last year, while the price was 40 to 45 in the current season. Wholesale buyers from Goplaganj, Madaripur and Barishal have been rushing to purchase the same from different markets of the district.
Jackfruit vendor Rahmat Ali of Bhanga upazila in Faridpur when contacted at Shailkupa weekly market in Jhenidah said he has been purchasing each piece of the large size fruit at Taka 50 to 60 which was hardly Taka 40 last season.
According to the office of the deputy director of the department of agriculture extension (DAE) in Jhenaidah, the farmers in Jhenaidah Sadar, Kaliganj, Kotchandpur, Moheshpur, Shailkupa and Harinakundu had produced 32,770 tones of jackfruit in the previous season, while the production might exceed 34,000 tones during the current season.
Talking to DAE deputy director in Jhenaidah Asgar Ali, he said the golden time for the farmers are knocking to their doors when the government has been going to export bread, biscuits, cake and other food items produced from the jack seeds within a short time. It will play a significant role to earn the foreign currency as well as strengthen the socio-economic state of the jackfruit producing farmers throughout the country.
Asgar Ali said the national fruit enriched with higher protein, potassium, vitamin B, iron, sugar and others which is helpful to fulfill nutrition aspects. The fruit plays role to remove night blindness and high blood pressure.
To make the jackfruit farming profitable, they (DAE) have been providing training to the farmers on orchard nursing and management round the year as the soil of the area is suitable for fruit production, DAE deputy director said.
