Photo: Courtesy
Young entrepreneurs in Sharsha of Jashore are prospering through the cultivation of China-3 lemons due to their lucrative market returns.
Jahangir Alam, a budding agricultural entrepreneur, has achieved success by cultivating China-3 lemons in Sharsha upazila.
Approximately three and a half years ago, he established a lemon orchard that is now adorned with clusters of green lemons. Witnessing his triumph in lemon cultivation, numerous locals in the vicinity have been motivated to follow suit.
Wholesalers frequent his orchard to procure lemons, streamlining the marketing process for Jahangir Alam. Each lemon is sold for Tk 5, providing him with a gratifying price for his produce. This success story has sparked interest among farmers from diverse regions, inspiring them to venture into lemon cultivation upon witnessing the flourishing orchard.
As per agricultural sources, the cultivation cost for lemons is relatively low, yet the profit margin is remarkably high. The yield becomes available a year post-planting and can be sustained for at least 10-15 years with proper care. Lemons, being rich in vitamin C and in constant demand throughout the year, have witnessed a surge in market demand due to their antiviral properties.
Jahangir Alam shared his experience of planting around 350 China-3 lemon saplings on a two-and-a-half bigha land parcel three and a half years ago, initially gaining knowledge from YouTube alongside his gaming pursuits.
The expenses incurred for seedling procurement, digging holes, fertilizers, and other necessities totaled approximately 40-50 thousand taka. His lemon trees started bearing fruit within a year of planting, with each tree yielding 200-250 fruits.
Visiting his orchard, one can witness clusters of lemons hanging from the trees, a sight that instills awe. To date, he has sold 20,000 lemons at Tk 5 each, raking in 1 lakh taka. An additional 30,000 lemons remain for sale. Jahangir Alam anticipates annual sales of 50-60 thousand lemons, generating 5-6 lakh taka in revenue from his orchard.
Deepak Kumar Saha, the Agricultural Officer of Sharsha Upazila, commended Jahangir Alam's successful lemon cultivation endeavors on his land in Goga village. The Upazila agriculture office consistently provides guidance and training to incentivize farmers to cultivate lemons, malta, mangoes, and other fruits. Sub-assistant agricultural officers in each block diligently advise farmers on diverse fruit and crop cultivation practices, including lemons, fostering agricultural growth in the region.
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