Mizanur Rahman once drove vehicles for a living, but he dreamed of changing his own fortunes and creating jobs for people in his area. From that dream, in 2021 he started a mixed fruit orchard. He also sells saplings of various improved fruit varieties.

Md Mizanur Rahman of Choto Koldhari village in Balidia union, Mohammadpur upazila, Magura, is now known as a successful fruit grower. A driver by profession, he has built three mixed fruit orchards through his own initiative and hard work alongside his job. Various improved fruit varieties are grown together in the three orchards on two and a half bighas of land.

Over time the venture has become a success. His orchards have Vietnamese malta, year-round malta, malta Poyosha BARI-1, the BAU-3 Vietnamese variety, China and Darjeeling oranges, pomegranate BARI-4 and BARI-7, papaya and various lemons. Many trees are already bearing plenty of fruit.

Locals say his venture is an inspiration to others. He has shown that it is possible to succeed in farming through one's own initiative outside one's profession. For young people interested in farming, it could open new possibilities, and the mixed orchard in Choto Koldhari is living proof that with planning, hard work and patience, fallow or uncultivated land can be turned into a source of income.

Mizanur Rahman said: "I took up fruit farming to meet the demand for fruit, create local jobs and secure my own livelihood. There were many obstacles at first, but with experience and hard work I gradually expanded the orchard."

He said: "I started the orchard out of a wish to do something on my own. Now various kinds of fruit are growing in it. In future I want to build orchards on a bigger scale."

Mohammadpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Ishrat Jahan Shilu said: "Mizanur Rahman's initiative is truly commendable. Being a driver, he has made a stir in the area with his mixed fruit orchard and has created jobs for some people. If everyone thought like this, the demand for fruit would be met and the balance of nature would be protected."

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