Borhanuddin (Bhola) Correspondent :
For the past 5-6 years in Bhola district, some households have been cultivating green malta as a hobby. Malta oranges are not cultivated commercially. Malta and oranges are being grown commercially together since last season. Besides, there was a common idea that these fruits do not grow in plains. But this perception has completely changed when we see malta and orange trees hanging in bunches commercially. As a result, the agricultural department and entrepreneurs think that a new door has been opened for malta-orange cultivation in the plains of Bhola.
Five kilometers south of Borhanuddin Upazila Sadar beside the Gholpar-Ratanpur road of the 2 No. ward of Kachia Union, a dreamy young entrepreneur, Mainuddin Mofiz, has built a malta, orange garden on 3 acres of land. Along with Thai guava, most of Malta has already been sold. They have starting to take on an orange-yellow color. It will go on sale by the end of this month. Both fruits are as beautiful to look at as they are sweet and delicious to eat.
Next to it there is a huge vegetable garden of various varieties. There are different types of fish in the canal cut in the vegetable garden. Every day people from distant areas come to visit this beautiful agricultural farm. Takes pictures while going; captures videos and spreads them through social media. Some unemployed youths are also taking advice on gardening. The entire firm is managed by entrepreneur Mainuddin Mofiz. In 2022, he officially obtained the crest and honor certificate for safe vegetable production and marketing in Barisal and Khulna regions. He has various levels of training in agriculture. Mainuddin Mofiz said that initially Bari-1 Malta was cultivated in this garden. Apart from this, there are Bhutani, China three, Kashmiri-1 among the varieties of oranges. Malta has been sold for about 12 lac taka in the local market. The sale of oranges will come down to Tk. 3 lac 20 thousand. These species were collected from Natore and Chuadanga in North Bengal. Due to heavy rains this year the production is less. The production will be more in the next season if the weather is favorable. He also said that my goal is to produce 100% poison-free fruits. I am doing the same. It can be seen that we import most of the fruits. That is not healthy either. Unscrupulous traders no longer keep this fruit fit for food. Another 20 acres of new gardens are in the works. Modern agricultural technology will be applied there.
Other fruits include two and a half thousand Thai guavas, apple plum, sour plum. Besides, they are also producing advanced species of seedlings. Anyone can buy from the firm at low cost. Thai guavas are sold all year round.
Mofiz said, I like to do new things. That’s the challenge. A love for agriculture has been born. My investment in plum garden, Thai guava, malta garden, vegetable garden is about 2 crore taka. Long-term savings, money from the sale of land in two areas in the municipality, risk to agriculture by selling land in the area. With this amount of money I could do the business I wanted. But my mind is not drawn to that side. There has been some family morale pollution with this. I enjoy this work.
Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of that block Nasiruddin said that the initiative of Mainuddin Mofiz was remarkable and he said that the Department of Agriculture is always by his side.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Govinda Mondal said that the soil of Bhola is better than other districts. Especially its soil is very suitable for fruit cultivation. If the supervision is right, it is possible to deal with insect and spider attack, fungal attack easily. However, if the fruit is picked before the time in the hope of more profit, the quality of the fruit is not good. Moffiz initiative is very positive. The Department of Agriculture is by his side with all kinds of support including agricultural technology and advice. If he needs a loan, the agriculture department will also assist him.