Abdur Rahim Sikder is a young man from Kistakathi in Ponabalia union of Jhalakathi Sadar upazila. He has found success growing jujube (boroi) with his father on 300 decimals of land, and is now on the road to self-reliance.

Rather than only chasing a job, he began growing jujube with his father to become self-reliant. With proper care the yields were good, so they have increased the area every year and are now profiting by selling their jujube.

The two orchards now hold six varieties of jujube, including apple kul, baukul, ball sundari, narikel sundari, Kashmiri and Thai sour. Abdur Rahim said the orchard's jujube are very sweet and tasty, and wholesalers from the surrounding area buy them from the orchard. The orchard has cost Tk 2 to 2.5 lakh, and if there is no damage, Tk 6-7 lakh worth of jujube can be sold.

A jujube buyer named Kawsar said: "I have come from Barishal to buy jujube. Their jujube is very tasty and cheap. I have been buying from here for two years."

Faruk Hossain Khan, chairman of Ponabalia union, said: "Apart from Abdur Rahim, many others in our union have grown jujube and succeeded. Seeing them, many more are becoming interested. Wholesalers come from far away to buy, and many who come to see the orchards also buy jujube."

Agriculturist Monirul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jhalakathi, said: "District and upazila officials are advising jujube growers on training, fertiliser, irrigation management and improved varieties. We are encouraging growers. Because it is profitable, educated young farmers are being inspired to grow jujube. We hope jujube farming will increase their employment and improve their socio-economic condition."

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