Sherpur:By transforming 300 bighas of land into thriving lemon orchards, Sherpur entrepreneur Azizul Haque has built a successful agribusiness while creating employment opportunities for more than 150 people.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, once used mainly for traditional crop cultivation, vast stretches of land in Sadar and Nakla upazilas have now been transformed into flourishing lemon orchards. This initiative has not only established Azizul as a successful agricultural entrepreneur but also opened up new livelihood opportunities for local people, particularly rural women who previously struggled to find regular employment.
A resident of Ramerchar village in Balairchar union under Sadar upazila, Azizul embarked on his lemon cultivation venture in 2014 with an initial investment of Taka 12 lakh. He started by planting 3,000 lemon saplings on 15 bighas of land in Nayapara village of Lachmanpur union. Encouraged by the profitable returns, he gradually expanded the orchards to 50 bighas before undertaking a larger expansion programme.
Over the past 12 years, his venture has grown into a 300-bigha enterprise, with around 50,000 lemon saplings planted across two unions in Sadar upazila and one union in Nakla upazila, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Currently, the orchards produce around 150 maunds of lemons every week, with an estimated market value of Taka 10 lakh.
Beyond its financial success, the enterprise has emerged as an important source of rural employment. Workers earn between Taka 300 and Taka 500 a day, providing much-needed financial support for their families. The initiative has significantly impacted the lives of workers like Rehana Begum and Hasmat Ali, who now enjoy steady employment and income.
Agricultural officials highlighted the growing potential of high-value fruit farming as an alternative to conventional agricultural activities. Abdul Malek Akond, Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer at the Sadar Upazila Agriculture Office, described lemon as a promising cash crop with year-round demand. Muslima Khanom Nilu, Agriculture Officer of Sadar upazila, emphasized the importance of proper agricultural practices to enhance productivity and support the agricultural economy of Sherpur.