Untimely rain damages litchi flowers

Untimely rain and strong wind, along with attack by an insect called red mite, are worrying litchi farmers in five northern districts of Rangpur agriculture region.

The rain and wind cause the flowers of the juicy fruit to drop from the trees and the insects damage the tender buds.

Additional Director (AD) of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rangpur Shah Alam said litchi has been cultivated on 1,337 hectares of land in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.

Of them, 334 hectares are in Rangpur, 212 in Gaibandha, 315 in Nilphamari, 165 in Kurigram and 311 in Lalmonirhat.

The production target is around 9,000 tonnes, which is 550 tonnes higher than last year's production of 8,450 tonnes.

The most popular variety of litchi in the region are China-1, China-2, China-3, Bedana, Bombay and Kathali, which are juicy and have mouth watering taste.

Litchi farmer Darika Nath Roy of Nohali village in Gongachara upazila of Rangpur said, “Litchi flowers covered my one acre orchard as weather was favourable, but heavy rainfall in mid-March along with strong wind caused the flowers to drop from the trees.”

Litchi orchard owner Selim Hossain of Bogulari village in Jaldhaka upazila said, “Litchi tree branches are delicate, and they bend during the flowering stage. If it rains and there is strong wind, the stems or branches break.”

Farmer Mominur Rahman of Chaderhat village in Sadar upazila said red mite is causing fungal attack in his two acre litchi orchard.

Horticulture specialist Khondokar Mesbahur Rahman said, “Farmers should support litchi trees with bamboo poles and cover them with polythene sheets to prevent dropping of flowers during rain and wind.”

He also suggested spraying sulfur-containing fungicide to prevent red mite attack.

Additional director Shah Alam said farmers are inclined towards cultivating litchi as it is profitable and as they incurred loss by growing paddy and other crops in recent years.

“If the rain and strong wind continue, it may cause fall of litchi production target this year,” Shah Alam added.