Pinky Akhter, Rangamati

The delicious summer fruit litchi has arrived in the market. This juicy fruit comes for a very short period of time. The delicious litchi is unique not only in taste and aroma but also in terms of nutritional value.

The market of Rangamati city has been seen, traders have arranged litchi of different varieties for sale. Every haat market in Rangamati is full of litchi. Local type litchi is being sold at Tk 80-100 per hundred, while Chinese litchi is being sold at Tk 250-300.

The demand for litchi grown in the hills is high. Buyers are interested in buying litchi because the litchi produced here are large in size and very tasty and sweet to eat.

Javed Uddin, a buyer who came to buy litchi in Banrupa Bazar area of the city, said that he is buying seasonal fruit litchi for boys and girls and families because it is healthy. However, the price of litchi is a little high. Besides, because there is no formalin, litchi from this region can be eaten freely.

Retail litchi sellers in the market said that after going to different upazilas of the district, they buy litchi at wholesale price from the farmers and sell it in different markets of the city. Good quality litchi is being sold at Tk 250 to Tk 300 per hundred and local litchi at Tk 80 to Tk 100 per hundred.

Farmers said bumper yield of litchi is available in hilly areas. Extensive cultivation of litchi is taking place in different hilly areas of the district including Jeetali, Mogban, Gunabhanga, Sapchari, Balukhali, Wagga, Baradam, Raikhali of Kutukchari Kaptai in the headquarters of Rangamati. Good yield of litchi is also available in recent seasons. However, due to low rainfall, many litchi plants are dying.

Hybrid litchi of foreign varieties are being cultivated in the hills along with domestic varieties of litchi. Bombay and China, varieties of litchi are in high demand. Foreign varieties of litchi are very sweet in taste. Suitable for hill farming.

According to the district agriculture department, 1 thousand 885 hectares of gardens have cultivated litchi in Rangamati. The production target of which is about 18 thousand metric tons.

As it is free from pesticides, the demand of litchi is also good in different districts of the country. At present litchi produced in the hills is being marketed in different districts of the country.

Rich in vitamin C, litchi boosts immunity. Helps in weight loss. Lychee is helpful in keeping the heart healthy. Besides, litchi helps prevent cancer. Vitamin-C and antioxidants present in litchi help our body to prevent cancer.

Litchi works to relieve various types of pain in the body. Lychee also acts as an effective pain reliever. Eating litchi regularly improves digestion.