The management of Sirajnagar tea garden in Kulaura, Moulvibazar, has opened a new line of income by growing dragon fruit on fallow land unsuitable for tea. Ground that once lay uncultivated now carries rows of dragon fruit plants, and with yields and sales rising the estate expects better returns from the venture in the years ahead.

The garden began growing dragon fruit on a trial basis in 2024 at a cost of about Tk 12 lakh. It now has about 15,000 plants of three varieties — Thai Red, Jumbo Red and White Pink. Fruiting began in the second year, and the estate says it has sold about Tk 12 lakh worth of fruit so far this season. It also plans to send fruit abroad once domestic demand is met.

Shamim Islam, manager of Sirajnagar tea garden, said the fallow land unfit for tea is being put to use for dragon fruit, that organic methods take priority and no harmful pesticides are used, and that the estate plans to expand the plantation.

The dragon fruit plot has created work for the garden's labourers, and fruit from it is also supplied to them for their own needs. The plantation has become an attraction as well, drawing visitors from different areas every day to see the setting and the varieties.

Upazila agriculture officer Md Jasim Uddin, an agriculturist, said putting land unsuitable for tea under alternative crops raises an estate's income, creates local jobs and helps meet nutritional needs; dragon fruit from Kulaura can go to other parts of the country and even abroad. People in agriculture add that planned use of such land could carry other crops as well, according to what suits it.

Tea estates across the Sylhet region hold a fair amount of land of this kind; with proper planning, modern technology and care, those in the sector believe it too can be brought into production — Sirajnagar being one proof.

Source: banglanews24