It began with a small childhood experience. Turning that dream into reality, Md Farhad Hossain, 28, a young entrepreneur from Khabdar village in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur, has succeeded in growing sweet grapes. He has earned about Tk 1 lakh this year.

Farhad's father is a farmer, and he was interested in farming from childhood. When he was in class three, he saved his school tiffin money and bought a grape seedling for Tk 30 at the local market. It bore fruit a year later, but the grapes were sour, and that experience made him keen to grow sweet grapes.

He set out to realise that long-held dream in January 2025, starting with just 12 seedlings. Within six months the plants bore fruit, and the grapes were a sweet variety. Encouraged, he collected about 25 more improved seedlings.

The garden, on a small plot beside his house, cost him about Tk 1.5 lakh. He has earned about Tk 1 lakh this year and hopes to earn Tk 2 to 3 lakh next year.

Md Farhad Hossain told Jagonews: "We are growing year-round grape varieties in the garden. There are about 25 varieties, including Baikonur, Akula, Dixon, Green Long, Black Magic, Black Jumbo, Super Sonaka, Australian King, Veles, Prestige, Yamin, Dream of Portugal, Golden Sun Muscat, Jasmine and Golden Secret Dream. They vary in colour and size, but all are sweet."

"Because some varieties are year-round, we get some fruit throughout the year," he said. "Grapevines are long-lived. A single vine can live 100 to 150 years, so there is potential for a regular income from this."

Farhad added: "Our grapes sell for more than the usual market price. Consumers are buying them at Tk 800 to Tk 1,000 a kg. I think safe, sweet grapes grown in the country are becoming popular."

Sreepur upazila agricultural extension officer Sumaiya Sultana Bonna told Jagonews: "Grape farming is a promising sector in the country. Various sweet grape varieties are already being grown, which will have a positive effect on the farm economy."

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