Indigenous production technology of Latkan practiced in Narsindi District.
Alam M. S., Miah M. G., Hasan M. K.
Author Affiliation: Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh.
Journal of Agriculture & Rural Development (Gazipur) 5 : 173-175
Abstract : A survey was conducted in Narsingdi district, Bangladesh, during July to September 2003 to determine farmers practice for latkan (Baccaurea sapida) production. Approximately 50% of the farmers established their latkan garden within the last 15 years followed by 16-30 years (33%). On an average, the farmers were experienced in latkan cultivation for 21 years. The land area under latkan cultivation per farm averaged 0.31 hectares, the number of trees per farm was 83, and the average number of trees per hectare was 298. Approximately 97% of the farmers used saplings as propagation materials. There was no recognized cultivar found in the study area. The farmers usually categorized the available cultivars into cultivar with big size fruit having low sweetness and small size fruit having sweet to acidic taste. The saplings are planted in pits with a 30×30×40 cm size. The distance between plants was maintained at 6-7 metres. More than 50% of the farmers transplanted 2-year-old saplings in the main field. Approximately 89% of the farmers pruned their latkan tree regularly due to its positive effects on flowering. Ripening of the fruits was identified by the presence of light yellow to yellowish-red colouration. Fifty percent of the farmers harvested latkan fruits for the first time after 4 years of sapling transplanting, where 47% harvested during July while 33% harvested between June and July. Most of the farmers were of the opinion that the fruits could be stored for 4-5 days. Dieback and fruit borer infestation were observed, however, most of the respondent farmers never used any control measure. The survey also revealed that 97% of the farmers cultivated latkan as a simultaneous agroforestry system where latkan was grown in association with other trees such as jackfruit, mango, litchi, olive, aonla, jamun, pummelo, mahogany and bamboo.