NATORE, Oct 19: A day-long fruit festival was held in the district on Wednesday with a view to making people aware about native fruits; most of those are disappearing.
About 25 species of locally produced fruits were displayed at the festival to draw attention of visitors.
Department of Agriculture Extension-Naldanga organized the festival in the upazila hallroom. A discussion was held with UNO Dewan Akramul Haque in the chair.
It was attended by A K M Sadequl Islam, district training officer, as the chief guest.
Speakers said, "The native fruits are gradually disappearing from orchards, whereas soil of our country is always suitable in producing fruits."
At present, most of the new generation are unknown about these fruits, they added.
They further said, "So, it is needed to inform them about all native fruits, its quality and taste. If it is done, they will become eager about native fruits; and, at the same time, they will be inspired to protect the natural balance by planting fruity tress."
Festival fruits are: Banana, Panifal (water chestnut), egg-fruit, Dalim (pomegranate), Nony fal, Kamranga (star fruit), guava, Chalta, Amloki, papaya, Amra (hog plum), Katbel (wood apple), Big bel, malta, Palm fruit, Sharifa, Shaluk (snake fruit), green coconut, dragon, Native gub, Jambura, Safeda, and Bichi banana.
Among others, Sanjoy Kumer Sarker, upazila fisheries officer, Md Sajjad Hossain, upazila agriculture extension officer, Md Nahidul Islam, agriculture officer, Sumon Kumer Sarker, social welfare officer, Md Hasibul Hassan, project implementation officer, Al-imran Hossain, AGM of Naldanga Pally Biddut Samity, Md Ashraful Islam Siddiqi, and Tanvir Ahmed, ICT officer, were present.
