LALMOHAN, BHOLA, Feb 14: A farmer in Lalmohan Upazila of Bhola has made a mark by cultivating different varieties of Boroi (jujube). This season, his orchard has produced bumper yields, with fruits hanging in clusters across 160 decimals of land in his homestead. He expects to sell Boroi worth Tk 16 lakh by the end of the season.
The farmer, Mohammad Hossain, son of Jalal Ahmed of Purbo Charumed area in Ward-9 of Ramaganj Union, currently grows four varieties of Boroi. His orchard is now laden with Ball Sundari, Thai Apple Kul, China Sweet-Sour Kul, and Bharat Sundari varieties.
Hossain said, he started the orchard five years ago on one acre of fallow land beside his house. Encouraged by profits, he expanded the plantation every year. This season, he sourced saplings from Hajee Danesh Agricultural University in Dinajpur.
While many growers reported poor yields this year, Hossain's orchard has produced abundantly. He has already sold 2,000 kg of China Sweet-Sour boroi, at Tk 130 per kg wholesale and Tk 150 retail. Buyers and wholesalers from different areas purchase directly from his orchard. Based on current yields, he expects sales of at least Tk 16 lakh by March. Inspired by his success, 16 other farmers have started boroi cultivation after visiting his orchard.
Four labourers work regularly in the orchard, each earning Tk 800 daily. Hossain said he will spend around Tk 6 lakh this season on wages, pesticides, fertilisers, and irrigation. Even after expenses, he expects a profit of Tk 10 lakh. He began selling boroi in early October and will continue until March. He assured buyers that his fruits are fresh and free from formalin or harmful chemicals.
Workers Md Ashraf Ali and Md Kabir said, "We four work regularly in this orchard. The owner pays us properly, which helps us run our families smoothly."
Neighbours Md Khokon and Md Helal said Hossain's orchard has consistently produced good yields and profits. "His Boroi is sweet and tasty. We can buy fresh fruits at low prices directly from his orchard. Seeing his success, we are also considering Boroi cultivation," they added.
Lalmohan Upazila Agriculture Officer, Agriculturist Md Abu Hasnain, said, "We have inspected Hossain's orchard several times.
This year too, the yield is excellent. We are monitoring regularly. Farmers interested in commercial boroi cultivation will receive full support from the upazila agriculture office."
