SOURCE: BSS News
Agricultural entrepreneur Amzad Hossain has achieved remarkable success through papaya cultivation in Badalgachhi upazila of the district and is expecting to earn a net profit of more than Taka 23 lakh from his papaya orchard in a single season.
Amzad has cultivated papaya on three and a half bighas of land in Chuarpur village, setting an inspiring example for local farmers through his profitable venture.
Talking to BSS, Amzad said he planted 1,250 papaya saplings on the land about 10 months ago. He spent around Taka 5 lakh on land preparation, saplings, bamboo supports, organic and chemical fertilisers, pesticides and other necessary inputs.
The trees began bearing fruit in mid-September. After excluding male trees and 50 plants damaged for various reasons, around 1,200 trees are now bearing papayas abundantly.
Rows of papaya trees laden with large fruits have transformed the orchard into an impressive sight, attracting visitors from neighbouring villages.
Amzad said each fruit-bearing tree was expected to yield at least two maunds of ripe papayas. Accordingly, he expects a total production of around 2,400 maunds from the 1,200 trees this season.
By selling papayas at a minimum price of Taka 1,200 per maund, he expects total sales of Taka 28.80 lakh. After deducting the production cost of Taka 5 lakh, his net profit is expected to exceed Taka 23 lakh.
The papayas are being sold directly from the orchard. Local residents also visit the farm to purchase the fruit for household consumption.
Two buyers, Md Azijul Islam and Arup Kumar, said they had rarely seen papaya trees bearing such a large quantity of fruit. They expressed their admiration for the orchard, adding that the papayas were sweet and delicious.
Every day, many people from different villages visit the orchard to see the cultivation and buy papayas. Some have also expressed interest in establishing similar orchards and sought cultivation advice from Amzad.
Deputy Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Naogaon, Md Manzur Rahman told BSS that papaya is a highly nutritious fruit and vegetable with strong daily demand in the market.
He said papaya cultivation is profitable and the agriculture department is always ready to provide necessary advice and support to entrepreneurs interested in pursuing such ventures.