Hill Fruits Are Not Just Tasty, They Reflect the Organic Food Future: Hill Tracts Adviser

Staff Reporter: Ambassador (Retd.) Supradeep Chakma, Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs, stated, “Hill fruits are not only delicious—they are a reflection of our organic food future.” He added that this year’s Hill Fruit Festival is more than a display—it’s a sensory encounter with the earthiness of the hills, the labor of women, and the bounty of nature.

He made these remarks as the chief guest during the inaugural ceremony of the Hill Fruit Festival (1–5 July) at the Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex on Bailey Road, Dhaka.

Ambassador Chakma further noted, “In the hustle and bustle of city life, maintaining health is essential. With that in mind, we’ve curated this year’s festival as a showcase of organic treasures. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, the chairpersons of the three Hill District Councils have fully embraced this initiative. Through this festival, we wish to foster unity and create a dedicated fruit hub in the capital so that Dhaka residents can directly enjoy the flavors of the hills.”

He also emphasized the vital contribution of hill women in organic fruit cultivation. “The ministry continues to provide them with various forms of incentives and support,” he said. According to research by the Department of Agricultural Extension, it’s now possible to grow fruit twice a year in the hills—a revolutionary advancement, as described by the Adviser.

Md. Abdul Khaleq, Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, added, “In other areas, fruits are often preserved with chemical sprays, while in the hills, fruit may rot because nature alone protects it. That’s why hill fruits are not only healthy for the human body but also environmentally friendly.” 

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