Citrus Cultivation Status and Causes of Citrus Species Decline At Rajnagar Upazila Under Moulvibazar District of Bangladesh

Abstract

The Sylhet region is famous for its citrus cultivation. However, the citrus biodiversity in this region is decreasing day by day. Therefore, the current study was carried out to investigate the present status of Citrus cultivation at Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar district under Sylhet division. Primary data was collected from 80 respondents from four selected unions in Rajnagar upazila through face-to-face interviews using a well-structured questionnaire and field observation from April to June 2021. During field observation, a total of 13 citrus species were found in the study area. However, farmers opined that the previous 15 species were available in that area, which indicates that conservation of the citrus species is required to maintain citrus biodiversity. Field observation and farmers' opinions revealed that Kagzi lebu (Citrus aurantifolia) and Elachi lebu (C. limon) were the most dominant citrus species in that area, and farmers cultivated those species for their food items such as fruit, salad, or pickles. Most of the farmers collect their citrus planting materials from the local market. However, due to the poor market price, they are losing interest in continuing citrus cultivation on their farm or homestead. Citrus disease (such as die back, citrus canker, and so on) and insect pests (such as citrus leaf miner, bark and stem borer, and so on) were the major problems causing reductions in citrus species. Farmers should be trained by the government and non-government organization on citrus orchard management and the value of citrus biodiversity in order to conserve citrus biodiversity on-farm.