They eye changing lot with plum cultivation

Two friends nurturing their plum orchard under 'Friends Project' at Arapur village on the outskirts of Jhenidah town.Photo: STARAzibor Rahman, Jhenidah

Three once unemployed youths at Arappur village on the outskirts of Jhenidah town are now eyeing change of their lot through plum cultivation.

Getting inspiration from advertisements in the television and other media, the three youths -- Hazi Abdul Hamid, Atiar Rahman and Pattar Ali undertook a project titled 'Friends Project' on two acres of land at nearby Gayashpur village.

Cultivating baukul, apple kul, Thai kul and other hybrid varieties of plum there, the three friends are now a source of inspiration for many others in the area.

Now they look after the orchard by turn, working along with the labourers, with dream of success.

Visiting Gayashpur village, one may see a lively atmosphere as traders from different bazaars flock the orchard to purchase plum while interested farmers from different areas come to see the farm and enquire about the profitable plantation.

“Planting about eight hundred saplings of plum on two acres of land and nurturing them till maturity cost Tk 2 lakh 50 thousand. If the weather remains favourable we will get 25/30 kg per plum tree,” said the three innovative farmers.

The cost this year is relatively high as a good amount has been spent for planting saplings and their nurturing, putting fertiliser etc but the cost will be much lesser the next year, they said.

“If we get good profit this year we will extend our plantation next year. Every plum tree will yield at least 25/30 kg of fruit. We expect to get 25 thousand kg from 800 plum trees and sell it at around Tk 6 lakh. If it so happens, our profit will stand at around Tk 3 lakh 50 thousand,” they told this correspondent.

“Many locals visit the large plum garden out of curiosity. We have already sold 1,100 kg of plum worth around Tk 62 thousand and expect to get around Tk 5 lakh 50 thousand more by selling plum. Saha Nursery of Jhenidah town has helped the friends in planting plum trees,” Atiar Rahman said.