Zakir Hossain, an entrepreneur back from Kuwait, is harvesting Saudi dates in Swajanpukur village near Phulbari in Parbatipur upazila, Dinajpur. His orchard of about 1 acre 57 decimals holds some 100 palms, with Ajwa, Barhi, Medjool and Helali varieties now bearing fruit.

A four-year-old Barhi palm gave him more than 100 kg of dates this year, worth about Tk 70,000 at Tk 600 to 700 a kilo. An eight-year-old palm bore more than 150 kg, worth an estimated Tk 1.5 lakh. The Ajwa palms also yielded well.

Drawing on his years in the Middle East, he brought seed of improved varieties from Kuwait. Planting in sand-mixed soil and regular care brought the harvest. He also raises seedlings from suckers and sold about 3,000 last season.

Farm entrepreneurs and visitors come from other areas to see the orchard. With patience and proper care, he says, dates can pay well, create jobs for unemployed young people and cut the country's dependence on imported dates.

Photo: Emőke Dénes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Source: Agricare24