Al Amin’s rooftop pomegranate garden. Photo : BSS

By Mohiuddin Suman

TANGAIL, July 19, 2026 (BSS) - What began as a son’s effort to provide safe, chemical-free fruit for his cancer-stricken mother has grown into a thriving rooftop garden that now earns him nearly Taka one million annually.

Twenty-eight-year-old Al Amin from Patkhaguri village at Habla Union of Basail upazila of the district, left his garment factory job to cultivate pomegranates on the rooftop of his family home after doctors advised his mother, Lovely Begum, should regularly eat the fruit during her cancer treatment.

Concerned about the safety of commercially available fruit and unable to afford the high market price of imported pomegranates, Al Amin planted a few saplings on his rooftop. Although his mother later passed away, the small initiative evolved into a successful rooftop orchard and inspired a promising agricultural venture.

Today, his rooftop garden featured around 70 matured pomegranate trees grown in large plastic drums, representing 26 different varieties collected from several countries. Among them are India's Super Bhagwa, Mridula and Gujarati varieties, Thailand's Thai pomegranate, Australia's Big Thai, along with Mexican, Pakistani and Rubin varieties.

The trees produce fruit twice a year, during the rainy and winter seasons. Besides selling fresh pomegranates, Al Amin also propagates grafted saplings, generating an annual net income of approximately Taka one million after expenses.

A visit to his rooftop reveals branches bending under the weight of pinkish-red fruits, while bright crimson blossoms bloom among lush green leaves. Each mature tree bears between 20 and 25 fruits, transforming the rooftop into a vibrant landscape of red and green that attract visitors from across the country.

Residents of the area said, Al Amin’s success has encouraged many people to explore rooftop fruit cultivation, particularly pomegranates, creating new opportunities for income generation and expanding commercial fruit farming in the area.

Local farmer Mizanur Rahman said he had previously cultivated fruits such as oranges, maltas and dragon fruit but had never succeeded with pomegranates.

"Al Amin has shown that the pomegranates can be successfully grown on rooftops. Many people are buying his grafted saplings and I also plan to establish a rooftop garden using his plants," he said.

College student Tanjia Akter after visiting the garden said, "I never imagined such beautiful pomegranates could be grown on a rooftop in Tangail. I want to seek his advice and start my own rooftop garden." 

Recalling the beginning of his journey, Al Amin said his mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 while he was working in the garment sector.

"Doctors advised my mother to eat pomegranates regularly, but safe fruit was rare in the market and imported pomegranates cost was between Taka 500 and Taka 600 each, which was beyond my capacity. I first planted a few saplings in our yard and later, after watching instructional videos on YouTube, bought additional plants from Tongi in Gazipur and started growing them on the rooftop," he said.

Encouraged by his first successful harvest, he gradually expanded the collection by introducing new varieties from different sources. Through regular care, timely fertilizer application and proper irrigation, he has continued to achieve consistent yields.

However, only a week after leaving his job to focus on farming full-time, his mother died in May 2025.

"My mother was the inspiration behind this garden. Even after her death, I never gave up. Every new tree I plant reminds me of her," he said.

Al Amin now maintains between 1,500 and 2,000 pomegranate saplings on his rooftop and nearby land. Depending on the variety and size, the saplings sell for between Taka 200 and Taka 2,000 each. Alongside the pomegranates, he also grows grapes, oranges and maltas. Most of his plants are marketed through his Facebook page, where customers from different parts of the country place orders.

He also provides practical guidance to buyers, often visiting rooftops personally to demonstrate planting techniques and proper management.

"My goal is to see rooftop pomegranate gardens spread across the country. I want to help people to produce safe fruit for their families while creating an additional source of income," he said.

Basail Upazila Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Muhammad Abu Ilyas Talukder said Al Amin has become one of the area's most successful young agricultural entrepreneurs.

"He is earning a good income through rooftop pomegranate cultivation and grafted sapling production. His plants are now reaching customers across the country. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is providing him with regular technical advice and necessary support. His achievement is encouraging many young people to become involved in modern agriculture," said the agriculture official.

Al Amin's story illustrated that how determination, innovation and modern cultivation techniques can transform a personal struggle into a profitable enterprise. What started as a son's effort to care for his ailing mother has become a model of sustainable urban agriculture, inspiring a new generation of rooftop farmers across Bangladesh.