Natore farmer achieves success in mixed fruit farming

Azizul Islam of Natore Sadar finds success in mixed fruit cultivation with an expected annual profit of Tk 25 lakh from next year.

The entrepreneur started cultivating fruits in 2019 using the integrated farming system on ten bighas of land. Within three years the plants started yielding fruits.

The orchard has a variety of fruits including varieties of orange, malta, mango, guava, sugar apple, and pomegranate. Azizul has also cultivated chilli, lobe of arum, and black cumin.

The farm also sells fruit saplings alongside fruits and vegetables.

Azizul Islam said he has worked as a surveyor in Rajshahi and travelled all over the country due to his position. While working at his job he learned about mixed fruit cultivation also known integrated farming system and was inspired to build his own orchard.

In 2019 he started his farm after receiving a capital of Tk 15 lakh from his father and leased six bighas of land along his own four bighas. He first planted malta and oranges before planting other fruits and vegetables.

The variety of oranges includes Nagpuri, Indian Menda, Pakistani, and Kashmiri while there are perennials and Vietnamese malta varieties. There are 300 orange and malta plants in the orchard, alongside 200 katimon variety mango saplings.

On one bigha of land, Azizul has cultivated paddy, and chilli, black cumin in between the crops. He also cultivated lobes of arum on one bigha of land. There is also a small nursery area where flower and banyan saplings are sold.

In response to a question, Azizul said he has been selling lobe of arum in the local market at Tk 30-60 per kg. In the past five months, he has made Tk 1 lakh from the sales.

He has also sold guava worth Tk 8-10 lakh at the rate of Tk 50-60 per kg, mangoes worth Tk one lakh for Tk 160-600 per kg, sugar apple worth Tk one lakh Tk 400-500 and saplings worth about Tk 10 lakh.

“I have reinvested the profits to expand my orchards by planting new saplings. If I get a full yield next year I will be able to make a profit of Tk 20-30 lakh subtracting other costs,” said Azizul.

Currently, there are six full-time workers employed in the orchard. However, during harvest season about 20 additional workers are hired.

Hasanur Rahman, an assistant teacher at Fulsar Government Primary School in the upazila said he regularly visits the orchard and buys various fruits straight from the owners.

“The fruits are organically cultivated and pesticides free. They are also very tasty. The locals are happy to be able to buy good quality fruits from here,” he said.

A local, Majnu Mia said the locals are benefiting from being able to buy organic fruits from a trusted source in their vicinity adding that Azizul’s venture is admirable.

Another local and a nature lover Mizanur Rahman likes to visit the orchard daily. He plans to take a similar initiative next year after being inspired by Azizul.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Natore district Deputy Director Mohammad Abdul Wadud said Azizul is an enterprising entrepreneur.

“Mixed fruit cultivation is an exemplary venture that will benefit anyone who takes the initiative. Farmers will benefit financially and locals will be able to buy nutritional fruits at a low price this way,” he said.

However, he further added that if Azizul planted the trees a bit further apart the yield will be better. “This way it will be easier to treat the plants if there are any diseases. I have visited Azizul’s orchard and I hope he will expand his business,” said the official.