Jujube cultivation gaining popularity in 3 hilly dists

The cultivation of jujube, locally known as ‘kul’ or ‘boroi’ is on the rise in the three hilly districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari due to fair price, favorable weather, reduced cost and diseases compared to the other fruits.  

The Chittagong Hill Tracts has a long history of producing seasonal fruits. In the last few decades, the farmers of three hill districts have been cultivating jujube along with mango, jackfruit, litchi, pineapple and other fruits. Many of them are cultivating jujube on their own land permanently instead of seasonal fruits cultivation.

Bandarban among the three districts is the highest in terms of production and cultivation of kul. Agriculture officials in Bandarban said Bau jujube, Apple jujube, Narkel jujube, Ball Sundari and Kashmiri jujube are being planted in three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts. However, the demand for the native breeds, which are sour in taste, is low, while there is demand for sweet varieties everywhere. One kilogram of jujube is being sold at Tk 50-150 depending on the size and quality.

“Five years ago, I cultivated Apple jujube, Ball Sundari and local Indigenous varieties of jujube on three acres of land. I have got good prices for fruits in the last few years. So I am trying to increase the scope of cultivation, Sushanta Tanchangya, a farmer from Kaptaiupazila in Rangamati said,  adding that this year he has already sold the fruit at Tk one lakh.

“I hope I will be able to sell for a few more lakhs from the remaining fruits in the garden.”

Hemo Kumar Chakma, a farmer from Sapchhari area of Rangamati, has become self-sufficient by cultivating jujube on his own land.

“I will be able to make Tk 1.5 lakh by selling jujube whereas I have spent Tk 30,000 this year.  I sold Tk 1 lakh worth of jujube last year,” Hemo Chakma said.

“I have planted two gardens on 10 bighas of land. In the meantime, I have sold kuls at Tk 50-100. I am hopeful that I will be able to sell jujube for Tk 30,000 this year,” said Guri Mila Chakma, another jujube grower of Sapchari village in Rangamati Sadar upazila.

“There is a huge demand for jujube. We mainly collect the fruit from farmers and bring it to the city for selling,” Sonamani Chakma, a fruit trader at Banarupa Bazar in Rangamati district town, said, adding that many are sending jujube to different places of the country through online business.

Ananta Chakma sells seasonal mountain fruits online.

“We supply jujube by courier according to the demand of people from different parts of the country,” Ananta said.

He mentioned that there is a demand for jujube as well as pineapple grown mainly in the hills.

Among the jujubes, there is a high demand for sweet variety which we are selling at a retail price of Tk 140 to Tk 150.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) annual report on Seasonal Fruits of the Rangamati region, 22,820 tonnes have been produced in 2,419 hectares of land in the fiscal year 2019-20. The highest production and cultivation was registered in Bandarban while the lowest in Khagrachari.

“Around 700 hectares of land in the district have been brought under jujube cultivation with the production target of 7,600 tonnes,” said Krishno Prasad Mallik, deputy director (DD) of the DAE in Rangamati.  

“Farmers of the hills have been interested in growing the fruit as it brings good profit to them,” he added.

“Jujube farming was already taking place in the hills. Of the three districts, the majority of the farming takes place in Bandarban. These fruits are distributed to different parts of the country. Now we are in the digital age. Many are becoming self-sufficient by trading seasonal fruits online. Jujube is also playing a special role in that,” said Paban Kumar Chakma, Additional Director of the DAE, Rangamati region.