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Malta farming opens possibilities for Chatmohar farmers


Bangladeshpost
Published : 22 Oct 2020 08:35 PM | Updated : 23 Oct 2020 06:27 PM

Iqbal Kabir Ranju, Chatmohar (Pabna)

Malta, a fruit rich in vitamin C. Although it is a fruit of the hilly region, currently green Malta is being cultivated in the plains of Pabna's Chatmohar, adjacent to Chalan Beel.

Seeing the success of those who have already successfully cultivated Malta in the area, others are also getting interested. So, there is a good possibility of increasing Malta cultivation commercially in Chatmohar.

Chatmohar Upazila Agriculture Officer AA Masum Billah said about 300 metric tones of Malta has been produced in 15 hectares of land in Chatmohar this season. Yield per hectare is about 20 metric tons.

Malta is a good crop for highlands where rainwater does not accumulate. Soils with pH that are acidic are good for Malta cultivation. He added, that the soil of Mulgram, Dibigram, Haripur, Parshadanga, Failajana, Gunaigachha and Mathurapur Union of Chatmohar is suitable for Malta cultivation.

Yasin Ali alias Swapan, a Maltese farmer from Majhgram of Mulgram Union in Chatmohar, Pabna, said, “I started cultivating Malta with the encouragement of Mamun Bhai, the owner of local ‘Adarsha Nursery'. In 2018, I planted 82 Bari-1 Malta trees on 18 Katha land. From that in 2019, I sold 21 kg of Malta. This year I started collecting Malta from the orchard from September. I sold them in retail at Tk 150 per kg and in wholesale at Tk 100 per kg. I have sold Malta for about Tk 50 thousand till now.”

He added, Malta is the most profitable crop for farmers. If someone cultivate it commercially, and plant 100 trees on one Bigha of land, they cam produce Malta worth three to four lakh taka. Another Malta farmer, Sanwar Hossain of Uthuli village in Mathurapur Union, said, “My elder brother Anwar Hossain became interested in Malta farming after watching a video of on YouTube. When we consulted on the matter, we talked to the Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer.”

“Under the NATP-2 project in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and developed a Malta garden on 1.5 Bighas of land. This year I have sold Malta worth about Tk 70 thousand. Seeing our Malta cultivation, yield and profit, many people in the area have become interested in firming Malta,” he added.

Saidur Rahman Saeed, Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of the concerned block, said that the demand for locally produced Malta is even higher as no harmful chemicals are used in the firming process.

The taste and sweetness of these Malta is no less than any other Malta. The success story of Sanwar's Malta Garden is now on the lips of local peoples.

Md. Shamsul Alam, Acting Deputy Director (Plant Protection), Pabna Department of Agricultural Extension, said that although Malta is a mountain fruit, the farmers of the area are getting success by cultivating Malta commercially in the plains of Chatmohar.

Seeing the production of green Malta, in the area, it seems there are immense potential for Malta cultivation in Chatmohar, he added.