Hazrapuri litchi, Magura’s only Geographical Indication (GI) recognised product, has started reaching markets across Bangladesh as the harvesting season begins early this year, drawing strong interest from buyers and boosting earnings for local growers.
The early-season fruit, known for its distinctive sweet and mildly tangy flavour, is fetching comparatively high prices, while farmers in Magura say favourable weather and improved orchard management helped ensure good production. Agriculture officials said litchi cultivation covered 639 hectares in the district this year, including Hazrapuri, Mozaffari, China-3 and Bombay varieties.
Large parts of Magura Sadar upazila, particularly Hazrapur and surrounding villages, are now busy with harvesting activities. Trees across the area are filled with clusters of reddish litchis, while farmers and labourers work from early morning to collect, sort and transport the fruit to different parts of the country.
According to local growers, Hazrapuri litchi has become the main cash crop for residents of nearly 50 villages in the region. Many families depend heavily on seasonal income from the fruit to cover household expenses, education costs, medical treatment and future investments.
“Earlier, we depended mainly on paddy and other crops. But Hazrapuri litchi now brings us good prices and has improved our living standards,” said Narhati village grower Abdul Jalil.
“Every year, we use the income from litchi to manage major family expenses,” he added.
Seasonal employment has also increased with the arrival of the harvest.
Day labourers including Purnima Rani and Mominul Islam said they often work in different orchards twice daily during the season, harvesting, grading and packaging litchis to earn additional income.
Local traders said wholesalers from Dhaka and several other districts have been arriving in Hazrapur from early morning each day to purchase litchis directly from orchards.
Since the fruit entered the market earlier than usual this season, growers have been receiving comparatively favourable prices, traders added.
Magura Horticulture Department horticulturist Md Shahinuzzaman said Hazrapuri litchi reaches the market earlier than varieties grown in many other regions of Bangladesh.
“It has a unique blend of mildly sour and sweet flavours, which is highly popular among consumers,” he said.
“Farmers are benefiting from cultivating this indigenous variety, and it is playing an important role in transforming their livelihoods,” he added.
He also said the combination of favourable weather conditions and modern cultivation methods contributed to satisfactory yields this year.
Agriculture officials and local stakeholders said stronger branding and wider market expansion could create export opportunities for Hazrapuri litchi in the future.
They said the fruit is not only contributing to the local economy, but also helping expand Magura’s identity nationwide.
