Cashew nut (Kaju Badam) is being grown
experimentally in the Garo hills of the district as hilly region is suitable
for its cultivation.
Farmers of the district are happy as the cashew nuts have started to ripen.
Orchard owners are dreaming of economic prosperity cultivating in cashew nuts
as it is sold at higher prices. Indigenous hilly people think that Kaju Badam
would change their livelihoods and native bengali farmers also thinking so.
The land of Sherpur is suitable for Kaju Badam. Flowers and fruits are seen
on cashew tree in short time. That’s why farmers are been interested to
cultivate the nuts. Particularly young people of the district are intended to
plant cashew trees on their lands.
Farmer Soleman from Gazni area in Jhenaigati upazila said he has 200 cashew
trees on his 50 decimal of lands. He hopes that he would get 15-20 kilograms
(kg) of Kaju Badam from each of the trees which would be sold at Taka 800 to
Taka 1000 per kg.
Mentioning Kaju Badam a new cash crop, Deputy Director (DD) of the district
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Dr Sukalpa Das said they have
taken pilot projects to boost Cashew nut cultivation in the district. “We
expend a lot to import cashew nuts every season,” he added.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha