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Lemon farming a blessing for Sreemangal farmers

Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar
Lemon farmers in Sreemangal upazila of the district are very happy due to a bumper yield and good prices of the popular citrus fruit this year.
Harvesting is going on while buyers from different areas are coming to buy the fruit.
The prices are almost the double compared to last year, farmer Mizan Mia of Jamburacherra of Srimangal upazila told this correspondent during his visit to the area.
"I started lemon cultivation in the area around 10 years ago. I got a bumper yield due to the availability of water, favourable weather, suitable land and cheap labour cost,"
said Milon Mia, a farmer of Jamburacherra village in same upazila.
After seeing his success, many farmers started cultivating lemon on their land in Sreemangal area.
"Earlier I depended on fishing or work as a farm labourer to maintain my family. Then I took job at a lemon garden. Two years ago, I started lemon farming in hilly area and got profit. I will extend my farm as per profit," Md Mustafa Khan of Krisnachura village said.
Many people, especially marginal farmers, are being benefited by lemon farming, said Shaymal Deb Borma ofTipracherra.
Hazi Jasim Uddin, president of local pineapple and lemon whole-
salers' association, said now the wholesale price of 1000 pieces of lemon isTk 4000-5000 while it was onlyTk 1500-2000 last year.
Lemons produced at Sreemangal commanded a better market price due to its quality and taste.
Bijoy Banerjee, chairman of Rajghat Union Parishad in Sreemangal, said, farmers had been cultivating lemon at Tipracherra, Jerin, Harincherra, Biddabeel, Alubari, Kalacherra, Fulcherra, Longlia, Modonmohonpur, Sisilbar and Kanlenji villages for decades but its cultivation has increased largely during the last few years.
According to a statistics of the Department of Agricultural
Extension (DAE), Moulvibazar, lemon has been cultivated on 1655 hectares of land in the district this year while it was 1625 hectares last year.
The district's lemon production was 17,875 tonnes in last year while the target is 19,860 tonnes this year.
In Sreemangal upazila, last year's production was 13,406 tonnes, while this year's target is 14,895 tonnes.
"The soil of Sreemangal is suitable for lemon farming. Many people are now engaged in the profitable cultivation on previously fallow lands and we provide necessary assistance to the growers," said Md Shahjahan, deputy director of Moulvibazar DAE.