The new variety Kashmiri apple kul cultivated in the district has attracted all palm farmers for its big size, mouth-watering taste and fair price this year.

After Gazipur, it was farmed in Jhenidah for the first time, said GM Abdur Rauf, deputy director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in the district.

Eight bighas of land in Sadar and Kaliganj upazilas have been brought under the cultivation, he said.

This variety looks like a middle size apple. Its colour is red on light yellow and green. Its taste is better than other varieties like bau kul and Thai kul. Its size is larger than the two varieties.

Reaz Uddin of Kashtobhanga village under Kaliganj upazila said he collected 200 plants at Tk 10,000 from a plum farmer in Satkhira in April last year.

He cultivated the plants on one bigha of land. After nine months, the plants have borne huge number of fruits. After 15 days, he will harvest the fruits, said Reaz.

Reaz added he spent about Tk 40, 000 for attending and fencing the plot and expects that he will sell this Kashmiri variety at Tk 2 lakh.

He said apple plum and bau kul are sold at Tk 30 to Tk 70 per kg to the wholesaler while this Kashmiri apple plum will be sold at Tk 100 to Tk 150 per kg.

Farmer Bakul Hossain of Kashtobhanga village said many growers in the area cultivate different varietis of plum. But this new variety looks fine and it tastes delicious. Its demand is high. The farmers are getting interested to grow Kashmiri variety.

Another farmer Anisur Rahman of Ganna village in Sadar upazila said he has cultivated Kashmiri new variety on seven bighas of land due to its mouth-watering taste and fair price.

The DAE official said they have provided training to Anisur, Reaz and other farmers on this new variety. Its farming can be expanded by cutting branches in budding system.  It is very profitable.