Farhad Hossain Shohag, a young man from Chuadanga with a genius idea, did not pursue the life of a pen pusher after finishing his studies. He took up growing fruits and vegetables, leasing farmland in his neighborhood.
Although he had to face enormous losses and failures in his business ventures, he soon built an orchard for Kashmiri apple jujube in the stretch of over one hectare of land next to the Fire Service Office of Damurhuda’s Loknathpur.
The entire orchard was a display of red and green, showing off the splendor of the fruit. Even Shohag’s face shows a flicker of smile, with hopes of large profits. For him, this is his big break in employment, nutrition, and food.
Orchard owner Shohag, also son of Mizanur Rahman from Loknathpur, told the Dhaka Tribune that seedlings were brought from neighboring India six months ago. Every seedling cost Tk85 to 90, including the price of transport. Around 750 were planted in more than a hectare of land at a total expenditure of Tk1.25 lakh.
He said: “All the trees have been producing a large quantity of fruit. I am expecting at least 30 to 40 kgs of jujubes this year and double that amount in the second year.
“Sales can continue for the next five to seven years continuously. These jujubes are being sold in Dhaka at the rate of Tk 100 to 120 per kilogram. Even though I will start selling after 10 or so days, I believe I can sell up to a total of Tk8 to 9 lakh of jujubes this year.”
Speaking about his experience to the Dhaka Tribune, Shohag said he had always been keen about agriculture since childhood, which is why he started cultivating fruits and vegetables.
He listed his failures and losses when he launched a guava orchard two years ago or tried to cultivate gourd after that. Recently, on the advice of the agricultural office, he planted Kashmiri apple jujube seedlings and grew cauliflower on the same farmland. Shohag has had a profit of Tk2.5 lakh.
Meanwhile, people were interested to see the jujube orchard, which has been a big source of motivation for him.
Referring to unemployed youths, he said jujube cultivation can turn their fate around as it is possible to earn Tk2 to 2.5 lakh by investing around Tk20,000 and planting 130 to 140 seedlings in around 0.16 hectare of land.
Damurhuda Upazila Agriculture Department Officer Mohammad Shamiur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that jujube orchards thrive best in a sunlit, high, and well-kept land. The seeds need to be planted approximately five to six feet apart and are comparatively less prone to diseases.
“Necessary instructions were given to him since the beginning from the Department of Agriculture. If someone new, interested in cultivating apple jujubes, comes to us for advice, we will be glad to assist them,” he added.
Damurhuda Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Abu Hena Muhammad Jamal said jujubes are delicious fruits, with plenty of vitamin-C and extremely useful for the human body.
