Jahid Dulal, Lalmohan (Bhola)

Md. Hossain, a resident of Purbachar Umed area, Ward No. 9 of Ramaganj Union, Lalmohan Upazila, Bhola. He has been cultivating plums in his yard for the past four years. Having achieved expected success in cultivating plums in the past years, he has increased the amount of land this time.

This year, Hossain cultivated plums on 150 percent of his land. Plums are now hanging in bunches in his plum garden. His garden has plums of China Sour-Misthi, Ball Sundori and Apel Kul varieties. This year, the cost of selling plums will be around 4 lakh taka and farmer Md. Hossain is expecting to sell plums worth at least 22 lakh taka from the garden.

He said that he cultivated plums on 100 percent of his land for the last 3 years. He has got satisfactory yields in the past years. So this year, I have increased the land area by 50 percent. This time, I have cultivated plums on a total of 150 percent of the land. The trees are yielding well. I have already started selling the Chinese sour-sweet plums wholesale and retail. I will start harvesting other varieties of plums by the end of this month.

I will be able to sell plums from the garden until mid-March. Since the yield in the garden is good, I hope that by the grace of God, I will be able to sell plums worth about 22 lakh taka this season. Anyone can come and buy plums from my garden to get formalin-free and fresh plums. Plum farmer Hossain also said that my expenses will be around 4 lakh taka until the end of selling plums, including labor, pesticides, fertilizers, nets and transportation costs. If anyone wants to cultivate plums again, I will provide them with necessary advice and support. I want; all the people of this district, including my area, to be able to eat formalin-free and fresh plums. Through which everyone will be protected from health risks.

Meanwhile, five workers are currently working regularly in the plum orchard of farmer Hossain. They are earning satisfactory wages and running their families comfortably. Workers of that plum orchard Md. Kabir, Md. Tayyab and Md. Ashraf Ali said, we have been working in Hossain Mia's plum orchard for several years. He regularly pays us the right wages. With which we are spending our days beautifully with our families.

On the other hand, many locals are already dreaming of cultivating plums again due to the success of plum farmer Hossain. Md. Maksudur Rahman, Md. Noor Alam and Md. Noman, some local residents said, Hossain Mia has achieved great success in cultivating plums. So we are also already thinking of cultivating plums again.

We will take necessary initiatives for cultivating plums very soon. In this regard, Deputy Assistant Agricultural Officer of Lalmohan Upazila Agricultural Office Md. Mehedi Hasan said, Md. Hossain Mia is a successful agricultural entrepreneur. On behalf of the Upazila Agriculture Office, we are trying to be by his side by providing him with regular support along with necessary advice. He is making good profit by cultivating plums. Seeing him, many farmers in the vicinity are getting interested in plum cultivation and are starting new plum gardens.

On behalf of the Upazila Agriculture Office, we will also provide all kinds of support along with necessary advice to those who are interested in starting new plum gardens.