LALMOHAN, BHOLA, Feb 28: A fair breeze is flowing over the economy of Lalmohan Upazila in the district for increasing green coconut cultivation.
According to local sources, the green coconut business is making a big contribution to the agriculture economy in the upazila. At present, green coconuts worth at least Tk 3 crore have been sent to Dhaka-Chattogram and other parts of the country per month.
At least, 500 hawkers are collecting green coconuts from different areas in the upazila. They are purchasing per piece at Tk 45-55 and selling at Tk 65-70 to local warehouses.
The green coconut demand has been increasing in the upazila for the last few years. The higher demand continues from March to August.
A green coconut grower of Ward No. 9 at Lordhardinge Union Haji Md Badshah Mia said, "I have at least 700 coconut trees in my garden. I can sell green coconuts of Tk 7-8 lakh yearly. Hawkers come to take away green coconuts. The yearly farming cost including fertiliser and labour is at least Tk 2 lakh. I am happy for my yearly earning."
A hawker Md Abdur Rahman has been purchasing green coconuts from tree owners for the last four years. He said, "We go to different upazilas for collecting green coconuts. I can purchase at least 100 green coconuts per day on an average. It is possible to purchase green coconuts of at least Tk 1.5 lakh monthly. We sell our green coconuts to warehouses. Per month my earning stands at Tk 15,000-20,000. My family comprising wife and two children is running well."
Md Rafiqul Islam, President of Lalmohan Green Coconut and Coconut Small Businessmen Association, said, "There is a huge demand of green coconuts in markets. In our upazila, 500 hawkers collect green coconuts from different areas and supply these to 18 warehouses. After purchasing from them, we send these to different parts of the country. The demand of green coconuts remains higher for six months of the year. We can send green coconuts of Tk 3 crore per month. Through this the economy of Lalmohan is getting boosted.
"We stand beside these hawkers when they face any problem. Our association provides capital to them. So, most of them have been solvent. Their families are running well. We also monitor any syndication for pushing up prices of green coconuts," he added.
Lalmohan Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Abu Hasnine said, green coconut farming requires less labour and cost but profit is higher; besides, green coconuts can be sold for the whole year.
"Already growers have been trained up on green coconut cultivation in the upazila. We hope the green coconut farming will increase commercially soon. If anyone shows interest we will assist him all ways," the official added.
