Abu Taher, 32, is one of the many farmers of Sonargaon upazila in Narayanganj. He grows different crops all year round, and this year he decided to grow papaya in the hope of a bigger profit. It has paid off: the yield in his garden has met his hopes and brought a smile to his face.

Abu Taher is the son of Mohammad Tajul Islam, a farmer in Baidyerbazar union. Following his father's example, he took up farming and has done well. This time he has grown three varieties of papaya on 180 decimals of land in the Haria Chowdhurypara area of the union. His fruit garden is now one of his main focuses, and he has employed workers to look after it alongside him.

He grows hybrid, local and kali varieties of papaya and uses mete, organic and white fertilisers on the crop. Three people work regularly at a wage of Tk 500, from planting the trees to tending and cleaning the garden.

Abu Taher told Jagonews: "I have been growing this crop on 180 decimals for a year. So far I have spent about Tk 2 lakh, and another Tk 50,000 or so will be spent. I am hopeful of selling the papaya for at least Tk 5 lakh. Papaya can usually be harvested within six months. Three more people work in my garden regularly."

Asked about help from the upazila agriculture office, he said: "Officials from the agriculture office come regularly and give various advice, including on how to use fertiliser."

Mohammad Mozaffar, who works in the garden, said: "We have been working here for the past two years. This time there has been a bumper yield. We are currently selling wholesale at Tk 60 a kg."

Abu Sayeed Tarek, Sonargaon upazila agriculture officer, told Jagonews: "We regularly keep in touch with farmers and give them the advice they need. Our officers go around and look into their problems."

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