United News of Bangladesh

A farmer in Pirojpur has transformed his fortune through malta cultivation, turning a small 10-decimal plot into a thriving orchard and nursery while inspiring others to take up commercial citrus farming. Rebati Shikdar, 50, of Dakatia village in Sadar upazila, started cultivating malta in 2008 with just 10 decimals of land, encouraged by advice from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the potential for a malta farming revolution in the district. He collected 45 saplings of an Indian variety from the local market and planted and nurtured them following the advice of agricultural officials. Within three years, the orchard began producing a good yield. Rebati said his wife’s strong interest and dedicated care played the biggest role in developing the orchard. He initially spent around Tk 25,000 to establish the orchard. His annual expenses, including seasonal workers, were around Tk 20,000, while he earned nearly Tk 1 lakh a year after meeting the family’s needs. Rebati said malta from his orchard is juicier and tastier than imported varieties, creating strong demand in the market. He sells the fruit at Tk 150 per kilogram at retail and Tk 110-120 wholesale. Encouraged by the yield and prospects, he expanded his orchard in 2016 by planting BARI Malta-1 saplings on an additional 3.5 acres. The expansion initially cost him around Tk 8 lakh. His annual expenses, including wages for two permanent workers, are about Tk 3 lakh. The expanded orchard has around 1,000 malta trees along with other fruit trees. As malta cultivation expanded in Pirojpur, Rebati also established a nursery alongside his orchard. He produces around 15,000 grafted malta saplings annually and earns about Tk 6 lakh a year by selling the saplings.