Farmers in Paba, Durgapur, Puthia, Godagari and Bagha upazilas of the district are expanding commercial farming of Papaya as it is proved more profitable than the cultivation of other vegetables and fruits.
Moreover, Papaya cultivation production is less costly than farming other fruits and vegetables.
Nowadays, Papaya is grown round the year and the kitchen markets of Rajshahi are always full with newly harvested green papayas. The growers are also happy over the satisfactory prices of Papiya in the markets.
Sources said though the prices of the other winter vegetables are coming down, market rate and demand of ripened Papaya and the green Papaya have rather been increased or remained the same recently.
By visiting different areas in the district this correspondent found grassroots farmers have brought a vast tract of land under papaya farming this season for more profit. Moreover, most village people cultivate Papaya in their homestead garden to meet their family demands. Besides, there is a plentiful production of the item this season amid good weather conditions.
Officials at the Department of Agriculture Extension office in Bagha upazila said Papaya was cultivated in some 1000 bighas of land this season. DAE sources further said Papaya farming was not popular in the district earlier. But, considering the hassle free growth of Papaya trees without applying any chemical fertilizer or by applying less fertiliser and with a little care, Papaya cultivation has become popular among the farmers and the common people alike. Many farmers of the district now cultivate Papaya in the region on a commercial basis due to high market demand.
Sources said a huge amount of locally produced Papaya are being transported to different areas across the country for selling. Ajer Ali of Amondpur village under Bagha upazila said Papaya farming is a profitable venture. A good number of people in the upazila have attained financial solvency by growing the item. He further informed, in the retailed market Papaya is sold at Tk 20 per kg while in the wholesale market it is sold at Tk 650 to 700 per maund in various hats and markets of the district. The price of ripened Papaya is Tk 50 to 60 per kg in the local markets.
Asad of Panikamara village under Bagha upazila said he cultivated papaya on two bighas of land. At the beginning of summer, he had sold the produce worth TK 90,000 whereas total production cost was around TK 30,000 DAE office sources said papaya was cultivated on 15,000 bighas of land in different upazilas of the district. The upazilas are well known for growing the item.
Dr Kausar Alam, formerly Professor of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital informed, both green Papaya and the ripened Papaya are extremely beneficial for health. This vegetable, both green and ripened, is also an ideal food for most of the patients and people of all ages can consume it for keeping their health fit.