Experts at a discussion said cultivation of lemon, orange and blood orange are becoming popular among farmers across thecountry due to bumper production and fair prices. They said many farmers in different districts of the country are showing interest to cultivate the mouth-watering delicious fruits.
They came up with thestatements at a workshop styled ‘Management and Extension of Lemon Cultivation’ at Krishibid Institute at Khamarbari in the city on Thursday. At the event, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaquesaid country’s famers at present produce 2.5 lakhs metric tonnes against demand 4.5 lakhs annually.
“If the famers get government patron and incentive, the country will be self reliant in lemon, orange and blood orange,” he said, adding if the present increasing trend of lemon, orange and blood orange production continues the country will become self-reliant in producing the fruits within a very short time.
Moreover, in near future, the minister hoped, Bangladesh will be able to export the fruits to foreign countries. He also said these sour flavour fruits are given to many sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks, and desserts, and they are also a good source of vitamin-C. Observing that many think that lemon and orange can be cultivated in Chattogram Hill Tracts and Sylhet only which is totally wrong, Razzaque said, “The fruits can be easily cultivated on plain lands also, at any place in the country.”
The agricultural minister said, “Bangladesh hasalreadyachieved 21 percent of its sustainable development goals(SDG) in agriculture sector. We are already exporting rice to abroad after meeting the local demand. We not only hope but also determined to export a variety of agricultural products in the near future.”
Agricultural minister also said that the premier is fully satisfied with the country’s agriculturists due to their contribution to the sector. The programme was also attended by, among others, secretary to agriculture ministry Mohammad Nasiruzzaman, agriculturist Md Hamidur Rahman and DAE DG Md Abdul Muyeen.
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