The ongoing heat wave condition and drought have posed a serious threat to the production of litchi, a mouth-watering summer fruit, in Pabna district. Pabna’s Iswardi upazila is known as one of the leading litchi production zones in the country. But this year, farmers and traders are fearing losses as small litchi pods are falling from the trees due to the prevailing heat wave. At the beginning of this season, litchi farmers had expected a bumper production of litchi but 50% of buds had fallen due to the heavy rains with hails in the middle of Chaitra (Bangla) month. On the other hand, due to the extreme heat at the beginning of summer, a large part of the litchi pods are now falling. If summer heat continues, the litchi farmers have to count a huge loss this year. High temperature, lack of rain threaten lucrative litchi production in Magura Besides, the wholesale traders who had bought the orchards with the sprouting of trees have become worried over possible losses this season. According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), this year, a total of 4,721 hectares of land have been brought under litchi cultivation and among these, 3,150 hectares are in Ishwardi upazila of the district. They also set a target to produce 48,801 metric tonnes of litchi this year. During a recent visit to some litchi orchards, the UNB correspondent found that at the beginning of the month of Falgun, there were enough buds coming in each litchi tree. Seeing a lot of buds on trees, the traders bought the orchards at a higher price in advance. But due to the ongoing drought and untimely rains with hailstorm at the end of Chaitra, most of the buds have been damaged. Mirajul Sheikh, a litchi grower of Ishwardi upazila, said about 40-50 percent litchi buds were destroyed during hailstorm but now a large portion of litchi pods are dropping due to the prevailing heat wave. Sonargaon litchi growers expecting bumper yield Manirul, a trader, said he had bought a litchi orchard at a cost of Tk 25 lakh but he is too frustrated. He is now doubtful whether he will be able to sell litchi worth Tk 10 lakh.Though the DAE officials suggested the farmers to spray water and continue irrigation but farmers said it is not possible to spray water in vast tract of land that was brought under litchi cultivation.However, the DAE officials are still expecting bumper production this year.Sheikh Mehedi, a litchi grower and trader, said the biggest economic activity of the farmers of Ishwardi upazila depends on litchi production. Farmers of the upazila will be severely affected if they don’t get expected output . Jamal Uddin, deputy director of Pabna DAE, said this year, litchi trees saw profuse flowering and if litchi comes from half of those it will be huge. However, some litchi are being damaged due to drought and the current heat wave. Farmers are being suggested to spray water on the upper side of the litchi trees and irrigate the lands, he added.Read more: Severe heatwave in Khulna: Day labourers forced to work in dangerous conditions

Litchi growers in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj district are expecting a return to hefty profits this year, following two years of depressed business due to COVID-19, plus Ramadan coinciding with the very short window during which the seasonal fruit is harvested in the country. Litchi grown in Sonargaon litchi is highly coveted for its sweet and delicious taste.  Also read:Early harvesting of mangoes puts Satkhira farmers in trouble The upazila agriculture officials said this year some 100 acres of land have been brought under litchi production, shared between some 200 orchards.  Visiting some of these orchards, UNB witnessed trees full of green litchis.  However, the litchi traders said there would be a delay in bringing the litchi to market, due to drought. Every year, the litchi season starts at the end of winter and the farmers have a busy time nurturing their orchards by pouring organic fertilizer and water to ensure a good yield. Litchi buds start to sprout in the first month of March and within one month they start turning red. Some rain helps at that point to get a good yield.  The first litchis start hitting the local market in April. Three types of litchi—Chaina-3, Kodomi and Pati litchi-- are being grown in Sonargaon. Alamgir, a litchi grower of Hamsadi village in Badderbazar union, said “This year, a massive yield of litchi is expected due to the dry season and each orchard expects to to generate revenues of Tk 2 lakh.” Also read:Low price dims the joy of watermelon growers in Khulna despite bumper harvest Traders from different districts have come to Sonargaon and purchased litchi from the upazila.   Manira Akter, Sonargaon Upazila Agriculture officer, said “This year, the production of litchi is better than the previous year. We are working to boost the production of litchi. We are also providing advice to the litchi growers to increase their production commercially.” Three deputy assistant agriculture officers visited each union of the upazila and provided necessary advice to the farmers, including on spraying pesticides, watering on time and nurturing the trees, she said.