Newton Mondal, a farmer in Dumuria upazila of Khulna, once drew attention locally for growing water taro (pani kochu). He now makes and sells lemon saplings and air-layers, known as gooti kolom, and many farmers in the area buy them from him, News Bangla 24 reported.
The profit from water taro encouraged him to try something new. Seeing strong demand for lemons and the chance of a good return, he turned to producing lemon saplings and air-layers. Careful handling and good varieties have created demand for his plants, he said, and after water taro the lemon layers have given him a new measure of financial security.
In his experience, layering the branches at the right time and in the right way, and growing the saplings on well, can bring a good income from a small piece of land.
Md Nazmul Huda, the Dumuria upazila agriculture officer, called Newton Mondal a hard-working and innovative farmer who has shown the same skill with lemon layering as he did with water taro. By producing quality saplings he has become self-reliant and contributes to the local farm economy, he said; the upazila agriculture office provides technical advice, training and support, and his success is encouraging young people in the area to take up farming.
Local agricultural workers say unemployed young people could earn a living by raising lemon and other fruit saplings in the same way on Dumuria's fallow and uncultivated land.
The report was filed by News Bangla 24's correspondent in Dumuria, Khulna.
Source: News Bangla 24
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