Pani fruit has started to appear in the markets of Debhata. Farmers are hoping to make a profit by selling the pre-cultivated fruits. Along with other fruits, the demand is increasing day by day as water fruits are taking over the market. The tasty and nutritious fruit is loved by everyone, young and old.
According to information from the Agriculture Office, the English name of this fruit is Water chestnut and the botanical name is Trapa bispinosa. Although the water fruit is native to Europe, Asia and Africa, it was first seen in North America. Commercial cultivation of water fruits started long ago in Satkhira district of Bangladesh. Watercress is a perennial aquatic plant. This fruit grows in reservoirs and lakes. A single watermelon plant can grow up to five meters tall. Another name of Pani fruit is ‘Pani Singra’.
According to the available information, fruit cultivation starts in the month of Bhadra-Ashwin and the fruit is collected in the month of Agrahayana-Poush. The fruit is red when young, green later and black when mature. After removing the thick soft skin of the fruit, a heart-shaped or triangular soft white pulp is obtained. The soft juice of the raw fruit is very tasty. Watermelon is eaten raw, but can also be boiled. Raw watercress is easily digestible food for weak and sick people. Allergies and swelling of hands and feet are relieved by eating the dry skins of the fruit. There is a practice of eating watercress to relieve pyopritis, flatulence and lower abdominal pain. A poultice of bruised raw fruit is beneficial in the pain of bed bug bites.
Abdul Gaffar, a watercress farmer of Sakhipur village in Debhata, said, I have been cultivating water fruits for the past few years. At first there was not much response among the people, but the demand is increasing day by day.
Watermelon farmer Shahidul Islam said that this year he has taken a 5 bigha land lease and started the cultivation of watermelons. In the beginning, he showed him the hope of getting this cultivation. He also said that he will cultivate more land next year.
Another watercress farmer Shamchur Rahman said he has been cultivating watercress for more than 10 years. This year he cultivated it on 10 bigha land. yielding 15/20 mana per bigha. In the beginning, they are making profit by selling wholesale at the rate of Tk 40 per kg.
Abdul Gafur, a retail water fruit seller in Sakhipur Mor area, said that currently he is buying at 40 taka per kg and selling at 50 taka per kg. In this, he is earning 500/700 rupees per kg at the rate of 10 rupees per kg.
Imran Hossain of Sakhipur Women’s College said that every morning he buys fruits from the farmers and sells them throughout the day. By doing this business, he is meeting his family needs.
Rabiul Islam, a wholesale fruit trader, said that before the cultivation season came, he invested money among more than half a hundred farmers. After the harvest, he bought the produce according to the market price. In this way, he has been engaged in the fruit business for more than 10/12 years. Every day he exports this fruit to different places of the country including Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, Barguna, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Benapole, Jessore, Natore, Bogra, Darshana, Chuadanga, Magura. He sells wholesale in markets outside the current district.
Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer. Yunus Ali said, this year watercress is being cultivated on approximately 50 hectares of land in Debhata. The farmer will get a profit of 20/25 thousand rupees by getting a yield of 15/20 per bigha.
In this regard, Upazila Agriculture Officer Shaukat Osman said that even if watercress is not considered as cultivation in the agriculture sector, it can be brought into the agriculture sector. Moreover, this year’s crop has increased compared to other years. The necessary advice and cooperation is being given to the farmers from the Department of Agriculture. The interest of water fruit farmers is increasing every year as this undemanding fruit is very profitable with little effort and low cost of cultivation.