Agricultural entrepreneurs Ruhul Amin and Hashem Ali have achieved notable success growing the foreign Bainur grape variety in Phulbari, Kurigram. The grape garden they built has already caused a stir in the area and opened a new possibility for local farmers.

The garden stands on 2 bighas of land at Ajoyatari, next to Gongahat Bazar in the upazila, the result of nearly a decade of work. It now has 460 grape vines. The venture began in 2017 with 40 saplings, and commercial production started in 2022. After selling 5 maunds of grapes in the first year, output rose to 20 maunds in 2025.

This year the entrepreneurs expect 40-45 maunds of grapes from 60 vines, with a likely market value of about Tk 8.5 lakh. Besides Bainur, the garden has several other foreign grape varieties and more than 300 fruit trees. Visitors come to see it every day, and many are collecting saplings and taking an interest in grape growing.

Hashem Ali said that bringing improved saplings from abroad posed many challenges at first, but success came through patience and hard work.

Ruhul Amin said: "So far Tk 12-13 lakh has been invested in building the garden. Besides the grapes, we are also earning well from selling saplings."

Upazila agriculture officer Mst Nilufa Yasmin told Jagonews24: "This initiative has set a new example for local agriculture. The agriculture department continues to provide the support needed."

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