Ashim Roy (Ashwini), Bandarban Correspondent:
Production is increasing. Coffee market in the country is 600 crore rupees. How much the mind is moved by the aroma of coffee cannot be overstated. Although coffee has not yet taken its place as an alternative to tea in the country, its popularity is increasing day by day. Keeping in mind the demand, the production of coffee is increasing in the country.
In 2023, where 55.72 tons of coffee was produced, in 2024 the production was 72 tons.
Those concerned said that the annual demand of coffee in the country is 900 to 1000 tons. As such, the amount of coffee produced in the country is very less compared to the demand. Almost the entire requirement is imported from abroad. As a result, there is great potential in coffee cultivation. The coffee market in the country alone is about 500 crore rupees. Those concerned said, newThe generation is now used to drinking coffee. Not only that, coffee is being sold in the capital as well as in Mofswal towns and even in villages and roadside tea shops. As a result, there is a huge potential for the coffee market in the country.
Sources in the Directorate of Agricultural Extension said that in the 90s, coffee cultivation started in the hilly districts of the country on a limited scale in the traditional way. It is now going into commercial production. Currently, coffee cultivation has spread not only in the hills, but in several northern districts of Bengal. Recently visited many areas of Bandarban and Rangamati, Khagrachari districts, coffee plantations are increasing day by day. The government has organized various trainings to make the farmers skilled in coffee cultivation locally, inventing new technologies and coffee varieties.
Farmer Daya Lendu Chakma of Naniarchar upazila of Rangamati said that if the garden is irrigated, the yield of coffee is good. The price is also higher than other crops. Coffee cultivation does not require separate land. Coffee grows best in slightly shaded areas. Coffee seedlings can easily be planted next to a large fruit tree. It takes three years to bear fruit.
It is known that two types of coffee are being cultivated in Bangladesh. An African variety of Coffea canniphora, also known as Robusta coffee. The other is Coffea Arabica. This coffee, which is in huge demand all over the world, is also known as mountain coffee. Farmers said that the shape of trees varies from place to place in the mountains. The yield also varies. But the average per treeThe yield is 7 to 10 kg. Accordingly, the yield of Robusta is 7,500 to 11,000 kg per hectare. And the yield of each Arabica is 3,500 to 6,000 kg.
Agricultural officials said that the soil and climate of the mountainous region of Bangladesh are suitable for commercial coffee cultivation. Arabica varieties require relatively high altitude (2000 feet above sea level). Robusta can grow well at all altitudes in Bangladesh. Irrigation during flowering gives higher yield. In the coffee plantThe risk of disease is low, so it can be cultivated with little care.
It should be noted that the Department of Agriculture Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a project of Tk 211 crore for the expansion of coffee and cashew nut cultivation in the hills.
The director (PD) of this project Shahidul Islam said that the coffee market is growing in the country as well as in the world. Stating that there is a huge potential for coffee cultivation in the hilly areas of the country, he said that due to the increase in both price and demand, there has been a great interest in coffee cultivation among the farmers of the hilly areas.
Soils suitable for coffee cultivation are deep, loamy, rich in organic matter and humus, slightly acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.5).
Coffee does well in light shade and does not require much additional fertilizer and irrigation, which helps maintain the balance of the environment. Fertilizer and irrigation are required when grown in sunny locations.