Panchagarh: Basirul Alam Pradhan, a former upazila chairman from Mohanpara village in Panchagarh Sadar, has established a profitable model of integrated farming by successfully cultivating mangoes as a companion crop within his tea garden. By utilizing the vacant spaces in his 22-acre tea plantation, the nearly 70-year-old farmer, locally known as Alam Chairman, has turned once-fallow highland into a high-yielding agricultural venture. His dedication to tea cultivation previously earned him a national award as a small-scale tea grower in 2024.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Pradhan’s innovative approach focuses on planting various mango varieties, primarily as shade trees for the tea plants. Currently, his garden hosts approximately 5,000 Banana Mango trees, 50 Amrapali trees, and over a hundred other foreign varieties. In 2024, he earned approximately Taka 40 lakh from mango sales, followed by Taka 25 lakh in 2025. With the trees currently in full bloom, he anticipates even higher yields this season.
His tea yields have shown consistent growth, rising from 1,67,671 kilograms (KGs) in 2024 to 2,05,489 kg in 2025. He is currently selling green tea leaves at Taka 36 per kg.
Speaking to BSS, Basirul Alam Pradhan emphasized that his work stems from a love for agriculture. “I want young farmers to move forward with modern agricultural methods,” he stated, noting that many locals now visit his garden for inspiration.
Abdul Matin, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Panchagarh, noted that the vacant spaces between tea plants are often left unused. “If mango or other fruit trees are planted there, it provides extra income,” Matin explained, adding that fruit sales can help offset financial losses if the price of tea leaves fluctuates.
Ashikur Rahman Chowdhury, a manager at BRAC Nursery, further lauded Pradhan’s innovative thinking, confirming that their organisation provides regular technical advice to support such profitable integrated systems. Agricultural officials who have visited the site expressed optimism that with continued proper care, the garden’s productivity will continue to flourish in the coming years.