Naimul Hasan Shamim has succeeded in growing the year-round Katimon Thai mango variety in Boalmari, Faridpur. Instead of chasing a job after finishing his studies, he has surprised people by producing mangoes all year. He is the first in the district to own a large orchard of this variety, and his orchard has made many others interested in growing year-round mangoes.

According to the agriculture department, the district has 2,031 hectares of mango orchards of various varieties, counting commercial, homestead and rooftop gardens, and year-round mangoes are grown on another 2 hectares. Katimon trees flower in the normal season; if those flowers and branches are cut, they flower again exactly two months later. By delaying flowering this way, mangoes can be produced out of season. The variety is being grown in several parts of the district, though in small quantities. It can be enjoyed all year and demand is good.

Local sources say Shamim is the son of Jahangir Biswas of Jogibarat village in Pachuria union of Alfadanga upazila. After completing his master's about four years ago, he was largely unemployed. Rather than chase a job, he dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur and became interested in year-round mangoes after watching YouTube. He leased 5 bighas next to Baguan Government Primary School in Gunbaha union of neighbouring Boalmari upazila and planted 600 mango saplings. This year he has begun work on growing year-round mangoes on about 22 more bighas.

Md SM Masum of Andharkotha village in the municipality said: "Mangoes are hanging from the trees out of season, and most trees have fresh flowers again. They look good and taste sweet and delicious. I walked round the orchard and bought a few kilos for home."

Local resident Md Abul Ahad said: "Mangoes are available here all year. The orchard has created quite a stir in the area, and many are becoming interested in growing these mangoes."

Shamim said: "I finished my master's at a private university in 2018. I became frustrated chasing jobs, and out of the wish to do something I began dreaming of being an entrepreneur. In 2019 I planted 600 Katimon Thai year-round mango saplings brought from Rajshahi on 5 bighas. The trees flowered and fruited about two years later. In all I have spent about Tk 10 lakh, and I have earned around Tk 16 lakh over the past two years."

"Mine is the largest Katimon orchard in the district," he said. "This time I sold mangoes wholesale at Tk 200 to 250 a kg. The mangoes are nearly finished, and every tree has flowered again. I hope to sell a new crop around February. People inspired by year-round mango growing come from far away to see the orchard, take advice and buy saplings."

Boalmari upazila agriculture officer SM Rashedul Hasan said: "Orchard owner Naimul Hasan Shamim is an educated and successful entrepreneur. He has succeeded with year-round mangoes. His orchard has been regularly monitored and advised. Many are following his example, and Shamim has set a precedent by being the first to grow this variety here."

Agriculturist Rafiqul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Faridpur, said: "Seasonal mangoes of various varieties are mostly found in Faridpur. The district has 2,031 hectares of mango orchards, and year-round Katimon mangoes are grown on another 2 hectares. Year-round mangoes are highly valued. Those who are growing them or want to are given all kinds of advice and support."

Reported by NKB Nayan.

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