Strawberries on 60 decimals of leased land: about Tk 1.4 lakh cost, sold at Tk 300-400 a kg
A young farmer in Biral, Dinajpur, has grown strawberries commercially for the second time. Costs were about Tk 1.4 lakh, and he hopes to sell Tk 2.5 lakh worth of fruit.
A 36-year-old farmer from Shibpur village in Biral upazila, Dinajpur, grew strawberries commercially for the second time. He leased 60 decimals of land beside his house for Tk 10,000 and, on the agriculture department's advice, chose the American Festival variety. In November he bought Tk 20,000 worth of seedlings from Joypurhat and planted them. Fruit is ready to sell 70 to 80 days after planting. His plot now has about 7,000 plants. He is selling wholesale from the field at Tk 300-400 a kg; last year prices were higher. He says growing by modern methods cost about Tk 1.4 lakh, and he hopes to sell Tk 2.5 lakh worth of strawberries from the plot. This season he also grew tomato, chilli and cucumber and is selling tissue-culture seedlings, including strawberry. A team from the Department of Agricultural Extension visited his field. Officials say the crop has potential if temperature can be kept under control. Next year he plans to grow tissue seedlings himself and plant on a larger scale.
Lessons
- 1.Leasing land lets you start a high-value crop without owning much; here 60 decimals cost Tk 10,000.
- 2.Seedlings and modern methods take a large share of costs, so budget against the income target; here Tk 2.5 lakh was expected against Tk 1.4 lakh cost.
- 3.The per-kg price is lower than last year and temperature is a risk; allow for both price and weather.
We published this with the person's permission, without revealing who they are.
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