The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Sirajganj

Farming of 'Kulboroi' (Plum) have changed the lot of Abdus Salam Ranju, of Protab village under Ullapara Upazila in the district within a short period.

Ranju, who was unemployed only a few years ago now employed over 30 people to look after his expanding farm. He has become a source of inspiration to many unemployed youth in the locality.

After graduation in 1984, Ranju had opened a medicine shop at Ullapara Upazila town but it was looted by a gang of dacoits in 2000. He had been passing hard days since the incident.

Encouraged by Upazila Agriculture Officer, he raised a high yielding 'kulboroi' garden in the village in 2004. After getting a good yield he became more enthusiastic to expand his garden.

In 2006, he planted 900 high yielding 'kulbori' saplings in five bighas of land. The saplings were collected from the nursery of Bangladesh Agriculture University (BAU) in Mymensingh and from different tree fairs. The yield was so good that he had earned a profit of Taka five lakh in 2007.

Abdus Salam Ranju had no reason to look behind. He took a project of farming 'kulboroi' in 37 bighas of land and invested Taka five lakh in developing his farm. This time he diversified his project by including nursery and fishery with it.

Different high yielding kulboroi grafts are available in his nursery. Besides, he cultivated brinjal, onion and radish in the farm. Some olive and lichi saplings have also been planted.

At present, there are 1,300 high yielding kulboroi trees in his garden and he is expecting to produce around 500 mounds of kulboroi in this season.

People from far away places come to buy high yielding kulboroi grafts from his nursery and they also get inspiration after seeing his success. He sales each of the kulboroi graft at a price between Tkaa 50 and Taka 60.

Talking to BSS Ranju said he had earned about Taka 70 lakh last year by selling about 2 lakh kulboroi grafts. He has also expanded his nursery at Birampur in Dinajpur taking three bighas of land on lease.

At present 30 workers are at work while he and his brother supervise the farm.