Lalmonirhat couple becomes exemplar in orange farming

Khalilur Rahman and Fatema Khatun Majumdar, a couple from Paschim Sardubi village of Barakhata union in Hatibandha upazila of the district, have changed their fortune and become a beacon of success in orange farming in the locality.

The couple, who are teachers by profession, has made an impact on other people with their endeavor, which is an eye-catching small and large yellow sweet orange sway in the cold winter breeze between the green leaves as if the nature is attired with yellow dress.

The craving smell of the sweet and juicy fruit and the buzzing of bees are enough to captivate one’s mind.

Such a delightful scene is prevailing at the house of the teachers’ couple, and it is difficult not to get attracted by the beautiful panorama.

Along with their fame as teachers, Khalilur Rahman, the head teacher of Milon Bazar Mozammel Hossain High School, and his wife, Fatema Khatun Majumder, the assistant teacher of Purbapara Government Primary School in Paschim Sardubi village, have become prominent in the locality for their unique venture.

They have become successful in cultivating China, Nagpuri, and Darjeeling varieties of oranges on flat land. Most of the oranges have already ripened and turned yellow.

Although the size of Chinese oranges is small, they are delicious and sweet.

The teachers’ couple started a nursery comprising various trees in 1995-1996. In 2011, they planted seedlings of the Darjeeling variety of orange on one bigha of land.

In 2015, a total of 152 trees started bearing fruit in large quantities. They also won the National Agriculture Award in 2016 as recognition of their outstanding efforts.

Inspired by the recognition, the couple created an orange garden on about one acre of land following the instruction of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

After three years, by the end of 2024, each tree bore expected fruits. They have already pocketed several lakh taka (money) by selling the fruits in the local market.

Khalilur Rahman said, “My wife planted the Darjeeling variety of oranges in front of our house in 2011. After that, our orange garden became very popular. After three years of planting the orange garden, a large number of oranges have been harvested.”

“Apart from meeting our own nutritional demand, we are also becoming beneficial by selling the fruit in local markets,” he added.

Fatema said, “I am cultivating orange as a hobby along with my teaching profession. I have got support from the agriculture department since the beginning of my orange farming. With their support, we have been able to attain our cherished success in fruit gardening.”

Rafiqul Islam, a fruit trader, said, “There is a huge demand for oranges in our district. Basically, our country has to import oranges from other countries. VAT and other expenses are required for importing, much to increase the price of any produce.”

“Inversely, there is no VAT on fruits that are produced in our country. So, we can sell those in the local markets at a comparatively cheaper price.”

Another trader, Hossain Mia, said, “It is surprising that oranges are being cultivated in our district. Every tree in the garden has borne oranges. And a huge number of people are flocking into orange gardens every day.”

“The orange garden in our area has made us proud. Seeing such a beautiful orange garden, many people in the area have now decided to start their own gardens,” he added.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mizanur Rahman said, “We visited orange gardens. The gardens have yielded a large amount of oranges. We have been advising and supporting them on various issues on behalf of our agriculture department. I hope that seeing their success, other farmers in the area will also feel encouraged in orange cultivation.” (BSS)