In the verdant hills of Sherpur's Garo Hills, a quiet revolution is taking place. Farmers, once struggling with fallow lands, are now finding new hope and prosperity through the cultivation of lotkon, or Burmese grape. This sweet-and-sour tropical fruit, rich in Vitamin C, is not only revitalizing the landscape but also providing a steady income stream for those who grow it.
The shift towards lotkon cultivation began gaining momentum in Jhenaigati upazila, where the hilly terrain and shaded homestead areas create an ideal environment for the crop. Farmers like Hamidullah of Bharua village, who started planting improved varieties of lotkon saplings in 2007, have seen remarkable success. His orchard, now spanning 65 decimals, produces an average of six to eight maunds of fruit per tree, fetching around Taka 2 lakh annually.
The appeal of lotkon lies in its low maintenance requirements and attractive market prices. Hamidullah notes, "Lotkon cultivation is simple and profitable. Good yields can be obtained with only one or two irrigations a year and the use of organic fertiliser." His success story is inspiring others, with lotkon now cultivated on about three hectares of land in Jhenaigati upazila and 21 hectares across Sherpur district this year.
Md Rayhan Ali, another farmer in the area, highlights the favorable soil and climate of the Garo Hills for lotkon cultivation. "Good yields, low production costs, and rising market demand are encouraging more farmers to grow the fruit," he says. Agricultural entrepreneur Mohammad Mujahid of Ahmednagar echoes this sentiment, calling lotkon a promising cash crop in the region.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Sherpur, Md Sakhawat Hossain, emphasizes the suitability of the district's soil and climate for lotkon cultivation. "If farmers receive regular training and technical support, the planned expansion of cultivation could make lotkon one of the most profitable fruits in the region," he adds. With its potential to transform local agriculture, lotkon is indeed a beacon of hope for Sherpur's Garo Hills farmers.
