Coconut cultivation
The Bangladesh government has a commendable plan of planting about ten million coconut saplings in the country. But we will not be able to get full benefit from this expensive project unless necessary infra structure is in place to ensure proper growth of the plant by application of manure and in some cases irrigation regularly. It takes about ten years in Bangladesh for the coconut tree to bear fruits as against only 3-4 years in Thailand.
Our country is very fertile and we are used to getting fruits without much effort. Just by planting a sapling we think we can get fruits for years without applying nutrients. We must change this mind set. In Ramna Park, Suhrawardy and Zia Uddyan a large number of coconut trees are standing like tooth-pick with few branches and fewer coconuts. This is an example of sheer negligence and apathy.
I suggest that about 5,000 coconut trees be planted in the city's parks with proper arrangement for their healthy growth. Existing cartoon like coconut trees should be phased out.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.