From Five Bighas of Guava to a 70-Bigha Mixed Fruit Orchard: A Father and Son's Success in Kushtia

In Bheramara upazila of Kushtia, Hazrat Ali and his son Russell Hossain have found success by building a mixed fruit orchard on 70 bighas of land. What began as a small guava orchard has become a practical example of modern fruit farming for people in the area.

The father and son set up the mixed fruit orchard and nursery in 2014 on farmland beside a bridge at Fakirabad Aorer Bil field in Mokarimpur Union of Bheramara. It started with a guava orchard of just five bighas.

Through planned care, modern management and the use of technology, that orchard expanded to 70 bighas within a few years. Fruit produced in the orchard now meets demand in local markets.

At present, improved varieties of guava, malta, orange, dragon fruit, banana, grapes, jujube, sapodilla, strawberry and lemon, among other fruits, are grown on 30 bighas of the 70-bigha orchard. Growing many kinds of fruit together, rather than depending on a single crop, is the core plan behind the orchard.

They learned modern fruit farming, pest management, irrigation and fertiliser techniques by watching agriculture-based videos on the internet, and began applying those techniques in practice. That knowledge gradually raised the orchard's production.

Son Md Russell Hossain said every tree in the integrated orchard is cared for through regular pruning, balanced fertiliser application, irrigation management and pest control. As a result, production has risen and quality has improved.

This season, favourable weather and modern care have made the guava harvest much larger than last year's. Because the fruit is large, sweet and of good quality, demand for the guavas in the market is strong.

Father Hazrat Ali said that alongside wholesale traders, ordinary buyers now come from far away every day to pick fruit of their choice directly from the trees. Buyers get fresh and safe fruit, while the growers receive a fair price without middlemen.

Guava is selling at 2,000 to 2,400 taka per maund. This system of direct sales has made the orchard's income more stable.

Local farmers said that, encouraged by the success of Hazrat Ali and his son Russell, they too are now showing interest in this modern and profitable mixed farming method. Inspired by them, many young people aiming to become agriculture-based entrepreneurs are turning to technology-based fruit farming.

Bheramara sub-assistant agriculture officer Rabiul Islam said the agriculture department is providing various support to draw young entrepreneurs into farming. In his view, the father-son initiative shows that combining modern technology, planned management and hard work can make farming a profitable and respectable profession.

The orchard of Hazrat Ali and Russell Hossain is a real reflection of the possibility of succeeding on one's own soil. Whether this success draws more farmers in the area into mixed fruit farming in coming seasons remains to be seen.