Unripe and ripe dates hang in bunches from the trees. The orchard holds about 10 varieties of date, including Mariam, Ajwa, Medjool, Amber and Sukkari. This striking sight is not in Saudi Arabia but in the orchard of Saiful Islam in Munjia village, Akkelpur upazila, Joypurhat.

Saiful Islam told Jago News: "In 2021 I became interested in planting a date orchard after watching videos on YouTube. I made enquiries, collected seedlings from Dhaka, Narsingdi and other places, and planted 450 seedlings on 25 August 2021. I bought each seedling for Tk 2,500 to 3,000, and each tissue-culture seedling for Tk 9,500 to 10,000."

He said: "So far the orchard has cost me about Tk 23 lakh in all. From the start I have looked after every tree by watching YouTube. I have sold about Tk 2 to 2.5 lakh worth of seedlings so far. Already 103 trees have fruited, and I hope to sell Tk 5-7 lakh worth of that fruit."

Atoyar Hossain, a farmer from Raykali village in Akkelpur upazila, told Jago News: "I learned a while ago that Saudi Arabian dates are being grown right here in Akkelpur, so I came to see the orchard. I really liked it. There are dates on tree after tree. I will take some seedlings from here too."

Shafiqul Islam, a farmer from Munjia village, told Jago News: "Saiful Islam is my cousin. When he first planted these trees, I did not believe they would bear dates. Now the orchard has many beautiful dates. Seeing it makes me very happy, and we too are dreaming of planting an orchard."

Akkelpur upazila agriculture officer Imran Hossain told Jago News: "Dates are mainly grown commercially in Saudi Arabia. Saiful Islam is also one of those growing them. We are keeping track of his orchard. If any government support comes, it will be given to him."

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