Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, March 5, 2026 (BSS) - Commercial strawberry cultivation is emerging as a profitable venture in Dinajpur as a young farmer's successful harvest has sparked enthusiasm among local farmers and youths to explore the high-value crop.

Young farmer Shamiul Islam, 36, a resident of Shibpur village under Rani Pukur union of Birol upazila, has cultivated American Festival variety strawberries on 60 decimal of leased land beside his house. The land was leased for Taka 10,000, and the strawberry seedlings were planted following advice from the local Agriculture Department. 

This is the second time he got success in commercial strawberry cultivation, inspiring many farmers and youths in the area to consider growing the high-value fruit. 

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a team led by Deputy Director Md. Afzal Hossain visited Shamiul's strawberry field on Wednesday afternoon and observed the success of the cultivation. 

Deputy Director (Training and Crops) Md. Mostafizur confirmed that the initiative has received a strong response from local farmers and youths.

Sources said Shamiul bought strawberry seedlings worth Taka 20,000 from Joypurhat district in November last year and planted around 7,000 plants in his field. The fruit becomes ready for harvesting within 70 to 80 days after planting.

Currently, he is selling strawberries at a wholesale price of Taka 300 to Taka 400 per kilogram. Last year, he received an even higher price in the market. The total production cost of the garden was around Taka 1.4 lakh, while he expects to earn approximately Taka 2.5 lakh from this season's harvest.

Local youths and farmers who visited the garden expressed interest in strawberry cultivation. Shariful Haque from Gobindapur village said the success of Shamiul proves that strawberries can be cultivated successfully in the soil of Birol. He plans to start strawberry farming on two bighas of land next year after consulting the Agriculture Department.

Another farmer, Krishna Roy Chandra, said that after visiting the field, he has also decided to cultivate strawberries next season.

Shamiul Islam said he adopted modern cultivation methods and plans to expand his farming next year by producing tissue seedlings himself and increasing the plantation area.

Biral Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Afzalur Rahman said the upazila is already known for fruit and rice production, and strawberry cultivation has added a new dimension to local agriculture. He said that the region's winter climate and sandy loam soil are suitable for growing strawberries.

Agriculture officials also stated that the low incidence of pests and diseases in the area makes strawberry cultivation more promising. With proper temperature management, irrigation and mulching techniques, the fruit could become a profitable crop in the district.

The Agriculture Department believes that initiatives like Shamiul's could encourage farmers across the region to diversify their crops and increase income through high-value fruit cultivation.