Over the last few years, cultivation of delicious fruit malta has become very popular in Rajshahi. Due to favorable weather in Rajshahi region, cultivation of this fruit is increasing day by day. Fortunes of many unemployed youths have changed as commercial farming has increased in the district and adjoining areas.
Bari Malta-1 is the most cultivated malta variety in the district and this species has grabbed city and district markets.
According to Rajshahi Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Fruit Research Center’s sources, Malta cultivation in Rajshahi started in 2015 while commercial cultivation in 2016. The fruit is very promising in this region as it is suitable for soil and climate.
This year, malta has been cultivated in a total of 148 hectares of land here which was 118 hectares last year. Seedlings are also distributed occasionally through projects of the DAE.
There are approximately 330 gardens in the district and malta produced 160 metric tons last time. This year target of cultivation has been set around 190 metric tons.
Many people have started cultivating malta in different upazilas of the district after finishing their studies in colleges and universities.
Hafeez Mashiur Rahman, a former student of Rajshahi University and also headmaster of a madrasa in Puthia upazila, he has planted malta on 1.5 bighas of land. Now the new malta has hung in his garden.
“The cost of cultivation of this fruit is relatively low,” he said. “The new garden has begun to bear some fruit. I hope we will get good yield day by day. “
Jewel Raj, a farmer from Senbhag area of Puthia, has completed his academic studies and is now a businessman. In addition to his business, he has cultivated matla on 6 bighas of land which costs Tk 6 lakh.
Last year, he earned Tk 7 lakh and this year he is expecting to earn Tk 10 lakh.
Many educated and unemployed youths from Puthia, Paba, Mohanpur, Tanore and Godagari upazilsa of the district have been benefited from the cultivation. In five years, many have turned the wheel of their destiny.
Shamsul Haque, deputy director of Rajshahi DAE, said, “Many unemployed youth in Rajshahi are now enagaged in malta cultivation. They are also getting better prices by cultivating the fruit. Due to favorable weather, cultivation of this fruit is increasing in this district. We are giving necessary advice to the farmers regularly”.
GY
