Growing grapes in Chandpur's soil was once a fantasy, with many questions over whether it could succeed in the country's climate. Young entrepreneur Kamruzzaman Pradhania took up that question as a challenge and opened a new horizon, building an unusual grape garden in Chandpur.

Enter the "Pradhania Agro" garden at Kalibhangti, on the Chandpur-Matlab Pennai road in Chandpur Sadar upazila, and a different scene appears: rows of vines on bamboo trellises, with bunches of green grapes hanging from them. From a distance it catches the eye, as if a foreign vineyard had settled in a Bangladeshi village.

The start of this success story was not easy. The idea of growing grapes came to Kamruzzaman as a hobby. Many people told him grapes would not grow in Bangladesh and were possible only abroad, but rather than letting that stop him, he took it as motivation to move ahead.

He began growing grapes experimentally on just 20 decimals of land. At first the weather, the soil and the care were all challenges, but through patience, hard work and continual research he gradually began to see success. Adapting improved saplings brought from abroad to his own land was also difficult, but he did not give up.

In time the small venture began to grow. Grapes are now grown in two more projects, and his collection holds about 85 grape varieties from 18 countries, a unique example in the country's context.

"During Covid, in my spare time, I started growing grapes as a hobby. I began with a rooftop garden. When I saw it was doing well on the roof, I thought, why not grow grapes in the field? Then in 2024 I planted my first garden, and in 2025 I took two more plots and started growing grapes commercially," Kamruzzaman said.

His hard work has paid off. With good yields, he has already started marketing grapes, which go to other parts of the country as well as meeting local demand. Every day people from Chandpur and neighbouring districts crowd to see the garden, some out of interest, some to learn and some to build new dreams.

"We plan to expand our projects every year. Besides grapes, we have started working on other fruits. But our big plan is to increase the number of commercial gardens," he said.

Kamruzzaman said 70-80 kg of grapes were sold from project one last year. This year the yield is very good, so about 400 kg may be sold commercially, and the other two gardens will produce another 200-300 kg. "Altogether we will be able to market about 20 maunds of grapes this year," he said. "Last year we sold at Tk 400 a kg from the vine, and we will do the same this year. We will be able to sell Tk 2-3 lakh worth of grapes this year."

Many people have started growing grapes with saplings from him, he said. "We want to spread grape farming across the country. We raise saplings from the garden and sell them in different parts of the country."

Saying new entrepreneurs can take saplings from him to start growing for pleasure or commercially, Kamruzzaman said: "Rather than staying unemployed, do something. If needed, you can take advice from me and start growing grapes. Everyone should pay attention to modern farming."

Those who want to start working with grapes must learn about the diseases and yields of grapes, he said. Leaves of sweet grape varieties suffer more insect attacks, so regular care and insecticide can keep the vines fairly safe. The biggest problem in grape growing is natural disasters, which damage yields: heavy rain can rot saplings or spoil grapes. Polythene must be used to protect against this, he said.

Nazmul Islam came to visit after seeing Kamruzzaman's grape garden on social media. "What I saw of the grapes in the video is even more wonderful in reality. I am charmed. I had never seen such a lovely garden in person, and I picked and ate grapes. I am inspired and have decided to make a rooftop grape garden. I will come here a few more times and start growing with his advice," he said.

Abu Taher, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chandpur, said: "Not everyone can succeed in growing grapes like Kamruzzaman. Many people are interested in growing grapes, but that interest fades for various reasons. Those interested must first learn about grape varieties and how to get a yield. If anyone new who wants to grow grapes comes to us, we will certainly give advice."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.