Coconut cultivation
Major QS Ahmed (retd) On e-mail
The government has a commendable plan of planting about ten million coconut saplings in the country. But we will not be able to get full benefit from this expensive project unless necessary infrastructure is in place to ensure proper growth of the plant by application of manure and in some cases irrigation regularly. It takes about ten years in Bangladesh for the coconut tree to bear fruits, as against only 3-4 years in Thailand. Our country is very fertile and we are used to getting fruits without much effort. Just by planting a sapling we think we can get fruits for years without applying nutrients. We must change this mindset. In Ramna Park, Suhrwardy and Zia Uddyans a large number of coconut trees are standing like tooth-pick with few branches and fewer coconuts. This is an example of sheer negligence and apathy. I suggest that about 5,000 coconut trees be planted in the city's parks and Sangsad area with proper arrangement for their healthy growth. Existing cartoon like coconut trees should be phased out.
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