By Ibrahim Khalil Mamun COX’S BAZAR, Mar 26, 2026 (BSS)- The holiday mood of Independence Day combined with the extended Eid-ul-Fitr vacation has turned tourist town Cox’s Bazar into a hub of festivity. Waves of visitors are flocking to the wide sandy beach and blue waters of the city’s iconic seashores. Families and groups of tourists are enjoying the sea, swimming in the waves, strolling along the sand, and taking photographs, creating a vibrant and celebratory environment.  The long holiday, which includes the weekly weekend and Independence Day, has drawn people of all ages to the coastline. Visiting the Sugandha Point this afternoon, families were seen bathing in the sea, walking along the beach, and capturing memories with loved ones. Visitors expressed delight at spending quality time together during the extended break. Fazle Rabbi of Mohammadpur in Dhaka said, “We have visited several places in Cox’s Bazar, including Inani Beach and other nearby attractions. We came with our family and enjoying a great time.” Another tourist, Rabeya Khatun, said, “It feels wonderful to be here. The presence of people makes the atmosphere lively. Spending time with everyone is truly enjoyable.” Another visitor named Ahsanul Haq echoed the same, voicing that he came with family and children.  Meanwhile, lifeguards and the tourist police were deployed along the coastline to ensure visitor safety and smooth travel, implementing a three-tier security system. Md. Imtiaz Ahmed, manager of Sea Safe Lifeguard, said, “On Independence Day following Eid vacation, millions of tourists have flocked in Cox’s Bazar beach. We have set up a three-level security system, including observation towers, beach patrols, and boats in the water to ensure the safety of tourists.” Inspector Zahidul Islam of Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police Zone confirmed that the beach is fully safe for visitors.  “Multiple police boxes, mobile teams, and station-based units are on constant duty, with the tourist police remaining vigilant to maintain maximum security,” he said. Tourism-related businesses reported bustling activity in more than 500 hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, and market areas across Cox’s Bazar. Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Residential Hotel-Motel-Guest House Owners Association, said, at least seven lakh tourists have visited Cox’s Bazar over the past five days, from the day after Eid till today, with an additional 2 lakh visitors expected by Saturday.  

By Md Aynal Haque RAJSHAHI, March 27, 2026 (BSS) - Due to its ease of cultivation and high profitability, farmers in the Barind region of Rajshahi are increasingly showing interest in commercial strawberry farming.  The juicy fruit is highly popular in many countries around the world, and its appeal is steadily growing in Bangladesh as well.  Farmers say strawberries begin to bear fruit within a month of planting, and harvesting continues for at least four to five months, making it more profitable than many other crops. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, strawberry cultivation has expanded by two additional hectares in the district compared to last year.  Improved production and marketing systems have further encouraged farmers to adopt strawberry farming.  Once the plants start bearing fruit, strawberries can be harvested and sold every two days. Ghulam Mostafa, a farmer from Kismat Kukhundi area of Paba, has cultivated strawberries on three bighas and three kathas of land.  He planted the seedlings on the 20th of Kartik and is now getting a better yield than expected.  Each bigha produces around 70 kg of strawberries daily. The cost of cultivation per bigha is about Tk 175,000. He said the strawberries are supplied not only within Rajshahi but also to Dhaka’s Kawran Bazar, Bakshi Bazar, Baipail, as well as Chattogram and Sylhet.  Initially, yields were low—about 300 to 500 grams—but prices were as high as Tk 1,500 per kg. Harvesting began around mid-Poush, and currently, wholesale prices range between Tk 500 and Tk 550 per kg, although production has increased. Rajab Ali from Mohishalbari village in Godagari upazila has cultivated strawberries on four kathas of land.  He said the plants will produce fruit for at least five months, with peak production during the months of Magh, Falgun, and Chaitra. Even toward the end of Chaitra, some strawberries will still be available, with the season ending by mid-Boishakh. Monirul Islam from Chaitanyapur village of the same upazila said strawberries are harvested every other day, requiring 8 to 10 workers on those days, while two laborers work daily in his field. Their wages are covered by the income from strawberry sales. He added that he left his job to focus entirely on strawberry farming. Professor Dr. A.K.M. Rafiqul Islam from the Department of Botany at Rajshahi University said strawberry cultivation is as easy as growing potatoes or eggplants. Seedlings are planted in rows between November and December each year. He described strawberries as a high-value crop, with flowering beginning within a month of planting and fruit ready by March. Each plant produces about 250–300 grams of fruit, and around 6,000 plants can be grown per bigha.  At the farm level, strawberries sell for about Tk 600 per kg. With expanded commercial production, the fruit has strong potential in both local and international markets. He also noted that many people, especially unemployed youth, are turning to strawberry farming due to its profitability. Strawberries are used in making ice cream, jam, jelly, chocolate, and biscuits, creating demand in various markets across the country. Professor Dr. Monjur Hossain, another researcher and innovator in strawberry cultivation at Rajshahi University, said Bangladeshi varieties of strawberries have proven to be among the best in the world.  Using tissue culture methods, researchers have developed three varieties that are well-suited to the region’s soil and climate. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rajshahi, strawberries were cultivated on 12 hectares of land in 2024–25, with an average yield of 7.9 metric tons per hectare and total production of 89 metric tons. In 2025–26, cultivation expanded to 14 hectares, with an expected yield of 8.229 metric tons per hectare and total production of 115 metric tons. Additional Deputy Director (Crops) Mita Sarker said strawberries are widely used not only as food but also in jelly, cakes, medicines, soaps, and cosmetics, increasing their demand.  She added that educated youth are particularly interested in this profitable crop, creating new employment opportunities. Favorable weather and growing interest among new entrepreneurs have led to a significant rise in strawberry cultivation in Rajshahi.  Commercial strawberry farming has proven highly successful, improving the economic condition of local farmers. Advanced agricultural techniques like tissue culture, quick fruiting within one month, and a harvesting period of 4–5 months have contributed to its popularity.