In Dinajpur, interest in growing malt is growing daily. Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, Feb 4, 2025 (BSS) - The commercial cultivation of Malta, a variety of orange, has gained popularity among farmers in Birampur Upazila as they have been achieving excellent yields and earning lucrative profits in recent years.

A silent revolution in Malta cultivation has taken place across various areas of the upazila with support from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

ATM Rezaul Islam, assistant director of the DAE and a researcher on the fruit, stated that Malta farming is expanding in the district day by day as the land in the upazila is suitable for its cultivation.

Witnessing the success of Malta farmers, others are becoming increasingly interested in cultivating the fruit, he said, adding, "About 60 Malta gardens have already been created in the upazila."

Nikchan Chandra Pal, upazila agriculture officer, said the DAE launched a venture five years ago to introduce the cultivation of highly nutritious Malta in the locality.

He encouraged farmers to establish Malta gardens, emphasizing that the soil in the upazila is highly suitable for its cultivation.

With support from the agriculture department, about 30 Malta gardens have been established. Inspired by this success, farmers have created 30 more gardens on their own initiative.

In addition, many have started cultivating Malta on fallow land and even on the rooftops of their houses.

According to the Dinajpur Horticulture Department, there are 60 Malta gardens in the upazila, covering approximately 72 acres of land.

Nur Islam Mithu, a farmer from Patuakol village under Mukundapur Union of the upazila, said, "I planted 250 Malta saplings four years ago, and after two years, the trees started bearing fruit."

Currently, each tree yields an average of 60 to 70 kg of Malta, he said. Farmers in the upazila are expecting a bumper harvest of Malta this year. Fruit traders from different areas are purchasing Malta directly from the gardens at a rate of Tk 3,500 per maund.

"I am expecting to earn Tk 10-12 lakh from my Malta harvest this year, excluding maintenance costs," Mithu added.

Agriculture officer Nikchan Chandra Pal, a key proponent of Malta cultivation in the area, said farmers are now cultivating Malta on a large scale as the soil is highly suitable for the fruit.

The Upazila Agriculture Office and field-level deputy assistant agricultural officers are working intensively to provide comprehensive support to the farmers.