Photo: BSS

PATUAKHALI, July 20, 2026 (BSS) – Despite being a school teacher by profession, 45-year-old Mosharraf Hossain has turned his passion for agriculture and safe food production into a flourishing mango orchard, growing more than a hundred trees from a small homestead initiative.

Mosharraf, a resident of Karpurkathi village under Kalaiya union of Bauphal upazila in Patuakhali, is now producing several improved varieties of safe mangoes. Besides earning local appreciation, he is inspiring others to engage in fruit cultivation.

Speaking to BSS, Mosharraf said he collected several improved mango saplings from the Upazila Agriculture Office in 2018 and planted 20 trees in his yard. Initially, it was simply a hobby. Later, he expanded the initiative by developing a larger mango orchard on empty land beside his house.

“With regular care, guidance from the agriculture department and my own interest, the orchard gradually expanded,” he said.

Mosharraf said although he did not get any fruit in the first year, the trees started producing a good yield from the following year. The Bari-3 and Bari-4 mango varieties supplied by the agriculture department produced better-than-expected results due to proper care. Later, he expanded the orchard further through grafting and planting new saplings.

Currently, his orchard has more than 100 mango trees. He cultivates seven to eight improved varieties, including Bari-11, Fazli, Katimon, Banana Mango and Chiang Mai. This year, due to a higher yield, he has been able to meet his family’s needs as well as sell mangoes in the local market.

Mosharraf said mangoes are being sold at Taka 120 to Taka 150 per kilogram depending on the variety. He expects to sell around 25 to 30 maunds of mangoes this season. According to him, the demand for his mangoes is high in the local market because they are produced without harmful chemicals and are considered safe.

Apart from commercial benefits, Mosharraf also prioritizes social responsibility. Every year, he distributes mangoes produced in his orchard among relatives, neighbours and well-wishers. As a result, his orchard has become a symbol of harmony and goodwill in the area.

Local residents said Mosharraf’s success has encouraged many people to become interested in fruit cultivation. People from nearby areas often visit his orchard to learn about mango farming and cultivation techniques.

Local resident Md Hasnain said, “Earlier, nobody thought that profitable mango cultivation could be possible on such a large scale in a homestead area. Seeing Mosharraf Sir’s success, many people in the surrounding areas are now developing their own orchards.”

Mosharraf believes that agricultural entrepreneurs do not always require financial assistance to succeed. “If they receive timely technical advice, training and field-level support, production can be increased further,” he said, adding that regular monitoring by agriculture officials is necessary to control diseases and pests, including mango fruit flies.

He said many people in the area have started mango cultivation after being inspired by his success. Among them is Miron Sikder of Kalaiya village, who planted mango trees following Mosharraf’s advice and is now getting good yields.

Bauphal Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Milon told BSS that the agriculture department is working regularly to promote safe fruit production and create new agricultural entrepreneurs.

“People like Mosharraf Hossain are role models for others. We will continue providing farmers with necessary training, technical advice and support,” he said.

He added that Mosharraf’s journey shows how a small initiative that began as a hobby can become a successful entrepreneurial venture through proper planning, care and perseverance. His achievement is contributing not only to safe fruit production but also to the development of the rural economy.

Bauphal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saleh Ahmed told BSS that individuals like Mosharraf Hossain set examples for society. “Alongside his professional responsibilities, his success in agriculture is encouraging others to take up fruit cultivation,” he said.

He added that the upazila administration would continue supporting agricultural entrepreneurs through training, technical guidance and necessary assistance to encourage modern technology-based farming.

“Such initiatives play an important role in strengthening the rural economy, ensuring safe fruit production and protecting the environment,” the UNO said.