Vietnam longan cultivation opens new prospects in Hill Tracts

Young agricultural entrepreneur Priyadarshi Chakma has achieved success cultivating Vietnam longan on hilly land in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari, demonstrating the potential for commercial production of the high-value fruit in the hill tracts. After initially planting the variety on an experimental basis, he has secured a good harvest this year, prompting growing interest among local farmers.

About five years ago, Priyadarshi collected 12 longan saplings from Dinajpur through a friend and planted them experimentally after becoming interested in the crop through social media and YouTube videos. He now sells the fruit for Tk 500-600 per kilogram in local markets, while the same variety reportedly fetches Tk 1,000-1,200 per kilogram in plainland markets. Resembling local lychee in appearance and taste, Vietnam longan has a comparatively larger amount of juicy flesh and smaller seeds. Priyadarshi said his orchard can produce fruit twice a year and that he has achieved a good yield without using pesticides or chemical fertilisers.

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The success has generated enthusiasm among farmers in the area, while the local agriculture department has expressed interest in providing technical support. Dighinala Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shahadat Hossain said Vietnam longan, a foreign lychee-like fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, commands strong demand and favourable prices in local markets. Agriculture officials believe that expanding cultivation of the variety across the three hill districts could create new income opportunities for farmers and establish the region as a promising production hub for high-value exotic fruits.