Gopalganj man achieves rare success in mango production

A man has attained an overwhelming success in mango production in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj district in the recent years, causing a bit of commotion in and around his community.

Farmer Wahiduzzaman Bakul has made a stunning profit of Tk2.5 million by selling mangoes from his orchard in the upazila in the current season.

Wahiduzzaman said, "I have got about 2,500 mounds of mango from my garden on 25 acres of land this year and per mound of mango sold at Tk1,400 to Tk1,500. Total production expenditure was Tk1.0 million and the net profit stood at Tk2.5million."

Wahiduzzaman Bakul (50) is son of late Abdul Hamid of south Krishanida village in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj district.

In March 2013, Wahiduzzaman began mango farming on five bighas of land at Krishanadia Char Para under Pasargati union of the upazila.

Now he cultivates different varieties of mango, including BARI-4, Lengra, Am-Rupali, Gobinda Bhog, Gopal Bhog, Him Sagar, Hari Bhanga etc. At present he cultivates mango on 25 acres of land and he has earned average Tk2.5million to 3.0million almost every season, spending around Tk1.0 million for production.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Gopalganj, a total of 543 hectares of land have been brought under mango cultivation in five upazilas of the district this season.

The total production target was set at 6,787 tonnes and about 14,000 farmers were involved in cultivation of the summer fruit this year, sources said.

Wahiduzzaman told this correspondent that this year mango production was good but size of the fruit was comparatively small due to unfavorable weather.

"I have got about 2,500 to 2,600 mounds of mango from my garden as harvesting has already been completed," said Wahiduzzaman.

"Two labourers are employed for attending to my mango garden all the year round and they get Tk14,000 salary each per month. But an additional number of labourers is needed to give extra care to my garden during the harvesting period," he added.

At one stage, Wahiduzzaman said 12 years back, former Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer (SAAO) of Passergati union under Muksudpur upazila, like Bashir Ahmed (former SAAO), gave him advice to start mango farming.

After a few days, he began mango farming on an experimental basis on five bighas (260 decimal) of land and the endeavour paid 0ff, continuing till right now.

But at present the total area of land for his mango farming is 25 acres.

At last many people in this region following his footsteps started mango cultivation and attained remarkable success, said Wahiduzzaman.

Md Habibur Rahman, sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO) of Passergati union under Muksudpur upazila, said five farmers first initiated mango farming in the union getting inspired by Wahiduzzaman's success.

They are Krishna Adhikari, 55, Abdur Rahman, 45, and Sahajan Mia, 42, of Krishanadia village; Babul Mia (39) and Akkas Ali (50) of Kanaidia village.

These growers got windfall profits from their produces this year, the SAAO added.

A large number of traders come here from neighbouring districts including Bagerhat, Khulna and Barisal to purchase mango every season. Wahiduzzaman and other farmers sell their mangoes and make a huge income.

Local people said many villagers come and following his advices cultivate mango and get highly benefited.

Bahauddin Sheikh, upazila agriculture officer (UAO), Muksudpur, told The FE a total of 208 hectares of land were brought under mango cultivation in Muksudpur upazila this season, where the production target was set at 1,473 tonnes, and about 5,000 growers were involved in mango farming.

Md Wahiduzzaman is a large-scale mango cultivator not only in Muksudpur upazila, but also in the entire district, said the UAO.

"Every year Wahiduzzaman earns huge money from

selling his mangoes. So farmer Wahiduzzaman is an excellent mango cultivator in the district," the UAO added.

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