Mir Khairul Alam, Satkhira

Dragon fruit cultivation is gradually becoming popular in Satkhira. This year, dragon fruit has been cultivated on 22 hectares of land in the district. Last year, this amount was 13 hectares. The highest number of dragon fruit cultivation in the district is in Kalaroa upazila, where this cultivation is being done on 7 hectares of land.
Md. Masum Hossain, a dragon farmer adjacent to Kazirhat Bazar in Kalaroa, said, “I have cultivated dragon fruit on 10 bighas of land experimentally. The demand for this fruit in the market is good, and I am hopeful that the price will also be good.” However, he said, “Although dragon fruit is relatively less susceptible to diseases, the cost of care is high. To get good results, you have to select good quality seedlings at the beginning.”

Alamgir Hossain works in this garden. He said that 10 to 15 workers work in this dragon garden every day. According to him, ‘If dragon fruit cultivation increases further, then the job opportunities for daily wage workers like us will also increase.’
Kalaroa Upazila Agriculture Officer S. M. Enamul Haque said, ‘Satkhira’s soil and climate are suitable for dragon fruit cultivation. We are providing regular training and technical assistance to farmers. Dragon fruit is a high-value fruit, it will play a positive role in increasing farmers’ income.’

Agriculturist Md. Saiful Islam, Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Department, said, ‘The amount of cultivation is increasing every year. We hope that this rate will increase further next year.’ He added, ‘Satkhira’s dragon fruit is now being supplied to various parts of the country including Dhaka. If cultivation is increased in a planned manner, it can be a potential cash crop in the district.’