A mango orchard and nursery on 140 decimals; about Tk 2 lakh income in the first year on about Tk 9 lakh spent

A 22-year-old from Upadi village in Matlab Dakshin upazila, Chandpur, is in the third year of a degree at Matlab Government Degree College. To fulfil his father's dream of a mango orchard, in 2024 he leased 140 decimals of land for Tk 5 lakh with his father's encouragement and financial help. He then built the orchard and nursery at a cost of about Tk 9 lakh. He collected saplings of 40 varieties from the agricultural research institute at Gabtoli, Dhaka: local Haribhanga and Amrapali as well as varieties from Japan, China, Thailand, Brunei and the United States. The orchard now has over 400 trees. The first fruit came last February, and he began selling ripe mangoes last month. So far he has sold about 30 maund of poison-free mangoes and made about Tk 1 lakh in profit after production costs. After the season he hopes to earn about Tk 1 lakh more from the remaining mangoes and grafted saplings, for a total of around Tk 2 lakh. Most mangoes sell from the orchard itself, and there is demand in Chandpur, Dhaka, Comilla, Narayanganj and nearby areas too. Next season he hopes for more than 300 maund. The income from mangoes and saplings pays for his studies and has brought some comfort to the family. The upazila agriculture officer gives him regular advice and support.