Young entrepreneur Morsalin Ahmed has had success growing passion fruit, known locally as anarkali, on 14 decimals of land at Panchghoria in Badalgachhi upazila, Naogaon. Fruit now hangs in clusters from the green vines on his trellis, some still green and some ripened to purple or yellow, and neighbouring farmers are showing interest.
Morsalin became interested in the fruit after watching videos on YouTube. He took 14 decimals of land from his father-in-law and planted seedlings brought from Cox's Bazar.
Preparing the land, building the trellis, buying seedlings and organic fertiliser cost him about Tk 50,000 in the first round. The vines began to flower and fruit just three months after planting, and he now picks an average of 8 to 10 kg a day.
Large fruit shops and supermarkets in the area sell the fruit at Tk 400 to 450 a kg. With its sweet-sour taste and aroma it is eaten fresh and also made into juice and jam. Morsalin hopes that with proper storage and a steady market the crop could contribute to the local economy.
Badalgachhi upazila agriculture officer Md Mehedi Hasan said the office would encourage him and give the most technical support it can, and that he would get priority if any government benefit or incentive becomes available.
A small plot, a trellis and a quick first harvest make passion fruit a possible new income for small growers, but the market for a premium fruit is limited, so securing buyers first matters. The report is by Krishi Shomoy's Naogaon correspondent.
Photo: Enoch Lau / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Krishi Shomoy
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