S DILIP ROY, Lalmonirhat

Farmer Hasem Ali, 50, from Ajoatar village in Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila, has transformed his once barren highland into a thriving grape orchard, becoming a beacon of hope for farmers facing similar challenges.

Inheriting two and a half bigha of land from his father, Ali faced numerous obstacles in his quest to make it productive. Lacking the necessary prerequisites for its location in a challenging terrain, the land proved unsuitable for conventional crops, leaving Ali disheartened as his efforts seemed in vain.

However, two years ago, Ali decided to take a leap of faith. He procured 250 grape seedlings, representing 40 different varieties from across the globe. Local bank officer Ruhul Amin came forward and provided him with the much-needed financial support to become a partner in his venture.

Initially skeptical about the foreign fruit’s adaptability to the local soil, Ali’s doubts were soon dispelled as nature began to work its magic. Today, a smile adorns Ali’s face as his once desolate land bears fruits. The light yellowish, tender, and juicy grapes, with a distinctive flavour, have captivated the local market, where they are now in high demand.

“Out of the 250 grape trees planted in my garden, 20 have already yielded fruit,” said Ali, sparking his optimism for a bountiful harvest from the majority of the trees very soon.

Over the past two weeks, Ali has sold 50 kilos of grapes to a local fruit trader at a rate of Tk 300 per kilo. Additionally, there are another 40-45 kilos of grapes ready for sale this week, he said.

However, Ali’s achievements extend beyond grape production. Alongside his grape orchard, he has also planted a diverse array of indigenous and foreign fruit trees in his garden. Inspired by instructional videos on YouTube, he ventured into grape cultivation and is now sharing his knowledge with fellow farmers, acting as a mentor and teaching them his techniques.

Ali anticipates a significant increase in grape production, projecting a yield of approximately 3,000 kilos from his garden from next year.

Achieving such impressive results has not come without its costs. Ali said he had to spend around Tk 11 lakh to set up and maintain the grape orchard. He expressed his gratitude towards Ruhul Amin for his financial support.

Currently, he is selling an average of 100 grape seedlings daily, with prices ranging from Tk 300 to Tk 1,500 per seedling, depending on the variety. Farmers and enthusiasts from various regions are flocking to Ali’s garden, purchasing grape seedlings and even utilising courier services to deliver them to different parts of the country.

Ruhul Amin said, “Ali’s innovative approach and keen understanding of modern farming techniques have contributed to his success.”