Moulvibazar hobbyist cultivates over 50 mango varieties in personal orchard
Photo Collected
In the quiet village of Sariya, located in the South Shahbazpur Union of Moulvibazar’s Barlekha upazila, Rezaul Karim Khondokar has cultivated a horticultural sanctuary that defies the typical landscape of the region. What began as a personal hobby in 2017 has blossomed into a diverse orchard housing more than 50 distinct varieties of mangoes, sourced from across Bangladesh and abroad.
Spanning nearly two acres on a hilly plot, the garden serves as a private laboratory for exotic flavors and colors. Despite a prolonged drought that challenged the region’s agricultural output this season, the orchard is currently teeming with 37 different types of mangoes, ranging from the well-known Himsagar and Amrapali to international cultivars like the Alfonso, American Kent, Thai Kancha Mitha, and the massive Brunei King.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The orchard is a labor of love rather than a commercial venture. Karim, who balances his passion with a full-time position at a private educational institution, invests his leisure hours into the careful maintenance of the trees. He eschews chemical fertilizers in favor of organic alternatives he produces himself, ensuring the fruit remains natural and wholesome for his family, friends, and the steady stream of curious visitors who arrive to admire the collection.
The current harvest illustrates the resilience and variety of the garden. Karim noted that while the recent drought and a temporary malfunction in his irrigation equipment led to some fruit loss, the yield remains impressive. Notably, a single Brunei King mango currently weighs two kilograms while still ripening, with the potential to reach five kilograms—surpassing a three-and-a-half-kilogram specimen harvested last year. Other varieties, such as the Banana mango, have shown remarkable hardiness, with one tree alone producing upwards of 200 fruits despite the harsh weather.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Local agricultural officials have taken note of the botanical diversity flourishing in Sariya. Barlekha Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Monowar Hossain, who recently inspected the site, remarked on the impressive breadth of the collection. While acknowledging the challenges posed by the climate, he praised the initiative, noting that Karim’s efforts have introduced a wide array of genetic diversity to the local area that few private growers manage to achieve.
For Karim, the rewards of his labor are measured not in currency, but in the succession of flavors that will ripen over the coming month. As the trees provide a steady supply of fresh, varied fruit for his household and social circle, he remains focused on the future. He plans to continue expanding his collection, undeterred by the occasional challenges posed by local wildlife such as squirrels and monkeys, driven by a simple, deep-seated fascination with the world’s most versatile fruit.
0%
0%
0%
0%
