Md Delwar Hossain, a successful mango farmer of Sakhipur upazila here, has recently been trying to cultivate different sorts of vegetables in the blank spaces in his mango orchard in a bid to making maximum use and profit from the land.
Delwar who is a post graduated first ever adopted the profession nine years ago as the locals thought that mango farming would not be much profitable.
He planted two thousands of mango sapling on a 13-acre land and in course of time it was extended to 77-acre and he earns Tk50-60 lakh each year by selling mango.
But this year, he has partially cultivated cauliflower, cabbage and turnip, tomato and different sorts of vegetables in his orchard to ensure ultimate use of the land as the move will bring extra profit for him. Even, there was a mustard seed bed of 2-acre.
When contacted, Delwar said: “I have cultivated advanced variety of winter crops in my orchards and I also want the farmers use of their land in such way to developed their livelihood as well as for the sake of our country.”
“Last year I started the cultivation experimentally in a 1.5-acre land and I succeed. This year I expect to make a profit of Tk7 lakh to Tk8 lakh,” he continued.
While visiting the area, locals told the correspondent that they have started following the Delwar’s initiative while the blank spaces of their orchard remains idle most of the time of year.
Another youth, namely Habib Khan in Araliabari area, cultivated seasonal crops on 2.5-acre of his mango orchard, saying he adopted the move being inspired by Delwar. He hopeful of making a handsome profit from the new cultivation this year.
When asked, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Md Mahbub Hossain said: “Certainly it is a good initiative and I will visit the area soon. Besides, we are ready to help anybody who is enthusiastic and wants to change their state by the initiative.”
