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PATUAKHALI, Oct 12, 2025 (BSS) - The ‘Red Lady Papaya’ cultivated in Hogla village of Kanakdia Union, Bauphal, has become widely popular across the Upazila and the district of Patuakhali. 

 Young entrepreneur Md. Nazmul, 30, who decided to leave his corporate job in Dhaka,  aims to involve with farming profession.  Subsequently, Nazmul has successfully cultivated this high-yield variety on 100 decimals of land.

Nazmul, who is now self-reliant, shared his journey, explaining that he decided to move back to his village several years ago after realizing that a private company job in Dhaka was not fulfilling. 

Driven by an interest in agriculture, he chose to establish a papaya garden. He now earns a substantial income from the venture and employs two to four people who depend on the farm for their livelihood.

Nazmul’s garden supplies papayas to various areas across the district, meeting the demand of the local Upazila. He sells more than 800 kilograms of ripe and unripe papaya monthly. On a weekly basis, his garden yields about 200 kg of papayas.

The ‘Red Lady Papaya’ fetches a good price due to its high demand. Unripe papaya is sold at Taka 50 to Taka 60 per kilogram, while ripe papaya sells for Taka 100 to Taka 120 per kilogram. The widespread public interest in this specific variety stems from the fact that the fruit is very sweet and, once cut, the inside is a vivid, blood-red color. 

Nazmul confirmed that the earnings from this papaya garden fulfill all the needs of his family.

Despite his success, Nazmul noted that water is the primary enemy of papaya cultivation. Given the amount of rainfall in the region, growing papayas can be challenging. 

He expressed interest in expanding his garden to a larger scale if he receives further government support.

Nazmul urged the government for implementation of modern technology, such as the use of the greenhouse method.

He believed that such aid would significantly improve papaya cultivation and encourage many others to take up the farming.

Another entrepreneur of the area, Mehedi Hasan, 30, stated that Nazmul’s garden motivated him to start his own, and Nazmul assists him with guidance and advice. Mehedi is delighted with the ample yield of papayas from his new garden, which he and his family use both as fruit and as a vegetable.

Another neighbour, Md Mujahid, 35, who previously only planted a couple of papaya saplings, was also inspired by Nazmul to establish his own garden. Mujahid now earns by selling papayas and meets his family’s fruit needs. 

He even gifts papayas to neighbours and relatives, who, in turn, are now venturing into papaya cultivation after seeing his example.

Regarding support for these agricultural entrepreneurs, Md Milan, the Bauphal Upazila Agriculture Officer, confirmed that the office provides all necessary government facilities, including seeds and pesticides to farmers and young entrepreneurs like Nazmul.