Tanvir Ahmed, a university student, has found success growing dragon fruit in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur. Many educated unemployed young men in the area are being inspired by his orchard. Tanvir is the son of Rashid Howlader of Bhadrakanda village in Nasirabad union of the upazila, and a postgraduate student at Jagannath University.
Tanvir's dragon fruit orchard covers two bighas. Dragon fruits large and small hang from the green plants, and some plants are flowering. Tanvir started growing dragon fruit in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Initially it cost him more than Tk 1 lakh, and in all the orchard has cost him more than Tk 3 lakh. This year he has sold more than Tk 1 lakh worth of dragon fruit, and the orchard has plenty of flowers and fruit. People are crowding in to see it; many are seeking his advice and many are being inspired to start orchards.
Inspiring others
Sohag Matubbar, a resident of a neighbouring area, told Jagonews24: "I came to see the orchard. I looked around and liked it a lot, and took some advice. An orchard like this ends unemployment and also brings a different kind of pleasure. I have started planning a small dragon fruit orchard myself."
Entrepreneur Tanvir Ahmed said: "I came home because of the coronavirus. Idle time in lockdown dragged, and I was glued to the internet all the time. Watching YouTube, I became interested in dragon fruit farming. From the start of the orchard until now it has cost more than Tk 3 lakh. This year I have sold more than Tk 1 lakh worth of dragon fruit, and I hope production will rise further. There are about 800 dragon fruit plants in the orchard, and work is under way to expand it."
Bhanga upazila agriculture officer Jibangshu Das said: "Dragon fruit is highly nutritious. Growing it can bring economic gain and also ensure nutritious food. Educated entrepreneurs like Tanvir Ahmed are creating employment in agriculture. Those who come into agriculture get all advice and support from the Department of Agricultural Extension."
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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