He finished honours and master's degrees in English at a private university, but did not chase a job after graduating. Instead he built a large mango orchard on 12 acres of land. He has not only become self-reliant but has also created jobs in his orchard for unemployed young people.

This is the story of Mahmudul Hasan Ruman, a 30-year-old young entrepreneur, who has planted a mango orchard on uncultivated land in Dewanganj, Jamalpur.

According to local sources, Ruman is the son of Hachhinul Bahar of South Moyamari village in Par Ramrampur union of the upazila. His journey began with this mango orchard, which has astonished local people.

He has set up his own trial facility to test mango varieties and yields, where about 200 local and foreign varieties are being tested. After trials, he has begun commercial production of Pakistan's Chosa, Thailand's Mahachanok, Japan's Miyazaki, Spain's Austin, Florida's Keitt and India's Sitabhog.

The orchard also has 60 local varieties, including Langra, Khirshapat, Haribhanga, Gourmati, Ashwina and Gopalbhog. He wants to spread his innovation across the country.

Mahmudul Hasan Ruman told Jago News: "I want to be an entrepreneur who sets an example in the country that benefits farmers in my own area and across the country. That is why I am bringing in saplings of different varieties from abroad and testing them, looking for a variety that farmers can grow profitably and that will benefit the people of the country. Farmers in the district will be inspired by seeing me."

He said that in future his nursery will supply saplings of hobby varieties to enthusiasts, such as people who like rooftop gardening or planting trees around their homes. The commercial varieties, he said, will be spread across the country after screening.

Thirty to 40 workers earn their living in the orchard. One of them, Shafiqul Islam, said: "Before, I had to leave the village to find work. Now I don't have to go anywhere. Working in this orchard, I can support my family well."

Another worker, Zahidul Islam, said: "I used to go to Dhaka for work. Now I have been working in this orchard for a long time. By the grace of Allah, with many facilities here, my family and I are doing well."

Pikon Kumar Saha, training officer at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jamalpur, told Jago News that mango has been grown on 1,970 hectares in the district this year. If entrepreneurs like Ruman come forward to grow mangoes, the agriculture department will help them. Training will also be provided through the horticulture centre along with improved saplings, and all kinds of support will be given so they can grow as entrepreneurs.

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