Two young men have succeeded in orange farming in Ishwarganj and Bhaluka of Mymensingh. The Ishwarganj grower is Md Mahfuz, who has grown a small China variety of orange commercially in Longai village of Sarisha union, and is happy with the good prices. Shahid Ahammed, a young man of Bhaluka, is also getting good prices; he has succeeded with oranges in Akhalia village of Dakatia union.

In both orchards the trees are heavy with fruit and the branches bend under the weight. Workers tend the trees carefully, guided by the two young men. Local people come to eat and buy oranges, and wholesalers buy the fresh fruit to sell in various markets.

Locals said that a few years ago many people in the area did not know Mahfuz and Shahid, but orange farming has made them well known, and they are now recognised as successful entrepreneurs. Following their example, many are turning to oranges, and the two encourage them and give advice on how to succeed.

Hazrat Ali of Longai village told Jagonews24: "Mahfuz has succeeded with his own talent and labour. He spends most of the day in the orchard. When local people go there, he lets them eat oranges, and many take a few home free. We are happy at his success."

Zahirul Islam, a worker in Mahfuz's orchard, said: "I worked as a labourer in different areas. Four years ago, when the orange orchard started near my home, I contacted Mahfuz and he gave me work. What I earn working near home keeps my family going."

Sarwar Hossain of Akhalia village said: "Shahid went abroad to earn money and turn his life around, but he lost even more. After returning home he profited from orange farming. Now he is earning lakhs of taka."

Idris, who works in Shahid's orchard, said he does various jobs including looking after the orchard. No chemical fertiliser is used; because the oranges are grown organically they are free of chemicals and taste very good, so they sell easily at good prices.

Mahfuz said: "I saw on YouTube that many people are profiting from oranges. So I took courage and planted 97 orange saplings on 40 decimals of land four years ago. Last year there was some fruit. This time about 70 maunds of oranges have set. Many have ripened and are selling at Tk 150 a kg. In all I hope to sell Tk 4.2 lakh worth."

Shahid Ahammed said: "After watching YouTube I planted 230 China and 70 Darjeeling saplings on one and a half acres. About 200 maunds of oranges have set. I have sold several lakh taka worth already and hope to sell Tk 12 lakh worth in all. I am also selling grafted saplings, which will bring a good profit too."

Dr Nasrin Akter Banu, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Mymensingh, said: "This year oranges are grown on 19 hectares in the district, including 1 hectare in Ishwarganj and 10 hectares in Bhaluka. Mahfuz and Shahid are profiting from oranges. Local agriculture officers are guiding them, and others are being encouraged to grow oranges."

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