Dinajpur:Once famous for its litchis, Biral upazila in Dinajpur is now witnessing a shift in agricultural focus, thanks to a young entrepreneur's successful introduction of orange cultivation. Shakil Hossain Sadat, a 30-year-old resident of Ramapur Mollapara village, has transformed nearly one acre of ancestral land into a thriving orange orchard, showcasing the potential for alternative fruit cultivation in the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shakil, a graduate of Setabganj Degree College, initially faced challenges in finding employment. After two years of unsuccessful job searches, he turned to farming as a means of self-employment. With support from the Dinajpur Horticulture Centre, he acquired saplings of Chinese and Darjeeling orange varieties and began cultivation five years ago. Agricultural experts provided guidance on plantation techniques and orchard management, enabling him to establish a successful commercial venture.
Currently, Shakil's orchard contains around 200 orange trees, which have yielded an impressive harvest this season. He has already sold approximately 100 maunds of oranges and expects to harvest another 150 maunds, with prices ranging from Taka 180 to Taka 200 per kilogramme. After covering production costs, Shakil anticipates earning around Taka 150,000 or more.
Shakil's initiative has not only brought him financial success but has also created employment opportunities for six to seven local laborers. His achievements are inspiring other farmers and young people in the area to consider commercial fruit cultivation.
Field officer Md Saiful Alam from the Biral Upazila Agriculture Office emphasized the significance of Shakil’s success, noting it as an example of economic self-reliance through diversified agriculture. The local administration and agricultural officials have expressed support for Shakil's innovative efforts.
Biral Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Rezaul Islam, after visiting the orchard, praised the quality of the oranges and acknowledged the potential for agriculture in the area. He assured continued support from the administration to further develop Shakil's venture.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Rumman Akter highlighted the integrated cultivation system Shakil employs, which includes latkan trees alongside oranges. This approach allows for multiple fruit types to be grown on the same land, providing inspiration for unemployed youth to pursue agricultural entrepreneurship.
Deputy Director Md Afzal Hossain from the Department of Agricultural Extension commended Shakil's initiative as an inspiring example of overcoming unemployment through innovative agricultural practices. The success of orange cultivation alongside traditional litchi production could position Biral and other parts of Dinajpur as promising orange-growing areas in the future. For Shakil, the orchard represents a personal triumph over unemployment, achieved through determination and innovation.