College student finds success in commercial mango farming in Chandpur

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A 22-year-old college student in Chandpur, Bangladesh, has successfully turned his father’s unrealized dream into a thriving agricultural enterprise, demonstrating the viability of commercial fruit cultivation for the country’s youth. Md. Emon, a third-year undergraduate student at Matlab Government Degree College, established his “Grambangla Nursery” last year on 140 decimals of leased land in the village of Upadi. His venture now hosts over 400 trees representing 40 domestic and international mango varieties.

The transformation of the orchard began in 2024 with a significant investment of 14 million taka, supported by Emon’s father, a retired government employee. Seeking to cultivate high-value produce, Emon sourced exotic saplings from the Agricultural Research Institute in Dhaka. His orchard now boasts a diverse selection of cultivars, including Amrapali, Bari-4, Banana, Miyazaki, Chiang Mai, Kyujai, Red Palmer, and Brunei King.

Emon’s commercial success was realized this season, as his trees began bearing fruit in February. By prioritizing chemical-free farming, he has already sold approximately 30 maunds of mangoes, generating a net profit of one lakh taka after production costs. With the harvest season ongoing and steady demand for both his fruit and grafted saplings from across the region—including Dhaka, Comilla, and Narayanganj—he anticipates his total earnings to reach two lakh taka by the end of the season.

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The orchard has not only provided Emon with the means to cover his academic expenses but has also improved his family’s financial stability. Local residents have praised his work ethic, noting that he effectively balances the physical demands of managing a large-scale orchard with his nightly studies.

Agricultural officials have lauded Emon’s initiative as a model for rural development. According to Upazila Agriculture Officer Chaitanya Pal, Emon’s success is a testament to his determination and entrepreneurial spirit. The local agricultural department continues to provide him with technical guidance and support, highlighting him as an inspiring example for other young people in the community who are looking to pursue self-employment through agriculture. Looking ahead, Emon remains ambitious, aiming to increase production to more than 300 maunds of mangoes in the next season.