In the Pabna’s Ishwardi subdistrict in Bangladesh is known for its cultivated litchi Farmers are confronting problems due to the severe drought as well as intense temperatures. These extreme conditions of the weather have resulted in the loss of the litchi as well as mango pods off trees and are threatening the season’s fruits production goals. Despite attempts to limit the damages through watering the persistent dry weather have rendered these measures useless.

In the past, Ishwardi has seen abundant of litchi as well as mango pods. The mango and litchi crop is the beginning of this year showing signs of good harvest due to the record-breaking number of buds. But the constant heat of the last weeks has seen the number of mango pods deflating, reducing the chances of a fruitful harvest. It is worsened by rising prices for pesticides and water, putting an additional burden on farmers financially.

Agriculture officials from Pabna acknowledge the effects of the drought on production. The Department of Agricultural Extension providing guidelines to farmers regarding reducing pod loss. Even so, actual weather conditions, such as the record-setting high temperature at 40.6 degrees Celsius in the area, suggests that meeting production targets for mangoes and litchi are not easy this year.

Director Deputy of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Pabna, Dr Md Jamal Uddin “There are 471 hectares of orchards for litchi within the Pabna district. Production goal was set at 37,768 tons. Mango orchards span 273 hectares, and the goal for production is 40,900 tonnes. A proper recommendation is offered to the farmers to save the mango and the litchi pods.”

Source: thefinancialexpress.com.bd