The Pomology Division of the Horticulture Research Center (HRC) of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has arranged a farmers training on ‘modern production techniques of lean season fruits crops’ at the seminar room of HRC on Thursday.
A total of 30 fruit farmers from Gazipur district participated at the training which is funded by ‘Development of lean season fruit varieties and management packages- PIU-BARC, NATP-II’ project.
BARI Director (HRC) Dr. Apuba Kanti Choudhury inaugurated the farmers training as chief guest. Chief Scientific Officer of Pomology Division Dr. Babul Chandra Sarker presided over the function while Deputy Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) of Gazipur Md. Saiful Islam were present as special guest. Principal Scientific officer of Pomology Division Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman gave the welcome address on the occasion.
Speaking at the inaugural season, speakers said that only 41 percent of the total demand can be met with the quantity of fruits produced in our country every year. The daily requirement of fruits for a person is about 200 grams.
But with the total fruit produced in our country, only 72 grams of demand per person can be met.
As a result we have to import huge amount of fruits every year and as a result huge amount of valuable foreign exchange is spent. So we need to increase fruit production in our country. Our country produces 56 percent of the total fruits in the four months of May-August.
During the remaining eight months, i.e. September-April, only 44 percent of the fruit is produced. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the nutritional needs of the people by increasing the total fruit production in the country by increasing the production of non-seasonal fruits like Aamra, Latkan, Ata, Sharifa, Safeda, Malta, Orange, Batabi Lemon etc.
