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Bangladesh is not generally the perfect country to cultivate strawberries. Growing strawberries, which used to be seen as something unusual, has become a big success for many farmers. Even though there is an opposing stereotype, these bright red berries have become popular in the local market. The demand for strawberries has soared, bringing lucrative returns to those willing to embrace this unconventional agricultural path.
As the sun sets over the strawberry fields in Satmile village of Sarsha, Jashore, the success story of Razin Ahmed Ranju comes to life. He turned a neglected commercial wasteland into a bountiful strawberry farm, which shows the potential of innovation and determination in agriculture.
Walking into his garden, Razin saw more than just greenery; he witnessed the fruits of his labor and the transformation of once-unproductive land into a vibrant strawberry paradise.
Razin Ahmed Ranju's venture into strawberry farming marked a historic first for Satmile village. He strategically planted 2,300 saplings on a once-neglected 14 Shatak plot of land. The transformation was astounding, with the trees blossoming in the initial weeks of January, setting the stage for a bountiful harvest. The demand for these strawberries skyrocketed in the local market, with prices ranging from Tk 300 to Tk 400 per kilogram.
Undeterred by the absence of government incentives for cultivating this exotic fruit, Razin Ahmed Ranju took the huge step based on advice from the Department of Agriculture and insights from YouTube videos. Sharsha Upazila Agriculture Officer Dipak Kumar Saha acknowledged the lack of official support but recommended farming strawberries to farmers.
The financial commitment to this agricultural project was substantial, with an investment of Tk 50 to 60 thousand solely dedicated to strawberry cultivation. The weekly harvest yielded 20 to 25 kilograms of strawberries, proving Razin's efforts and production of his strawberry fields were successful. Razin not only became a successful strawberry farmer of Satmile village, but also inspired neighboring farmers to cultivate strawberries as well.
Razin Ahmed Ranju inspired other farmers with his strawberry farming success. He shows that, with creativity and hard work, even unused land can become a successful strawberry farm. His story of turning neglected land into a thriving strawberry haven is not just about his determination but also brings hope for farming in Bangladesh.
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