Mir Khairul Alam, Satkhira

A school teacher in Satkhira has succeeded in cultivating Darjeeling oranges. At present there are ripe oranges hanging from every tree in that garden. In addition to teaching, Samchuzzaman, a teacher of Syedpur Government Primary School, planted 313 Darjeeling orange seedlings on one acre of experimental land. In just 3 years, all the trees have started bearing fruit. The sale of oranges produced in the garden started in November this year. People from different places are flocking to the orange garden every day.

On the surface, it can be seen that the whole garden is decorated with large yellow oranges. Incomparable in taste, color and size, the eyes are dazzled by the sight of this orange. For the first time, 15 to 20 kg of oranges were caught per tree. Which is being sold wholesale at 120 to 150 taka. This fruit of Indian variety is in demand in the market as it is sweet and delicious. These fruits produced in the garden meet the needs of the local market and are going to the different markets of the district. Traders are rushing to the garden to buy the oranges produced in the garden.

Employees of the orange garden said that for the last 3 years we have been working with 10-15 people. Working here supports our family and children’s education. First time yield is as good as expected.

Visitor Oliur Rahman said that he came to see the garden after hearing about it. The eyes widened. I will come with my family in the future. You ate fruit from the garden, it was very tasty. I bought a few kg of fruit for the family.

Garden entrepreneur teacher Samchuzzaman said that he was very happy to get a yield in 3 years by purchasing three hundred peaches per seedling from Nilphamari and cultivating experimentally on one acre of land. I have prepared to cultivate about 2 more acres of land in the future. I have spent 8 lakhs on 3 acres of land. As long as the trees grow, there is no other cost in the garden except for fertilizer, irrigation and day labor. Hope to get enough profit from next year.

Tala Upazila Agriculture Officer Hazira Khatun said that the Darjeeling variety of lemon is a new crop for this upazila. The fruit is also delicious to eat. This year oranges of this variety have been cultivated on one and a half hectares of land. It is hoped that the cultivation of this orange will increase and create new horizons in the district in the future. The Upazila Agriculture Office is giving suggestions for expansion. He also said that marketing will be supported if the production increases.