UNB, Naogaon :
Cultivation of Australian variety sweat grape which made its debut in Naogaon two years back has turned out to be a profitable venture here.
The local farmers have found the district’s soil suitable for farming of the luscious fruit.
Commercial cultivation of the fruit is expected to begin in the district in the next October-November season.
Upon cultivation of the Australian grape on an experimental basis for the last two years, it was found that the fruit produced on fertile land of the district is very tasty and it gives good yield.
The man who pioneered farming of the grape in the district is Salah Uddin Ujjal, a farmer by profession.
Talking to UNB, the successful grower said he began farming of seedless Crimson and Menindi varieties of grape in February 2012 after planting 350 grape saplings, procured from Australia, on three bighas of leased land in Barunkandi area of Sadar upazila.
Some 8-10 grape trees started flowering in the first season in May-June in the same year while half the trees were in flower in October-November season. At the end of the first season, it was found that the grape cultivated on trial basis was very delicious.
After two years of farming, Salah Uddin said, the grape plants have become mature and most of them have started flowering.
Of the total 350 planted grape plants, bunches of grapes are hanging in 107-180.
He expects at least 20 kg grapes from each of the plants this season and to earn profit of millions of taka.
Grapes are likely to be produced from 250-300 plants from the coming October-November.
Mehedi Hasan who has been interested in grape growing, being inspired by Salah Uddin, said a number of unemployed youths are massing to Salah Uddin’s farm being encouraged by his success.
They are also being motivated to grow grape.
He said if the government cooperates with the interested grape growers, grape cultivation would be expanded.
Mentioning that there is a huge potential of grape farming in Noagaon and its adjoining areas, deputy director of local Department of Agriculture Extension SM Nuruzzaman Mandal said soil of the district is suitable for grape farming.
He also assured of providing all kinds of assistance from the DAE to the interested grape growers.
Agronomists said the grapes produced in the district are tastier than those imported from other countries and added that grape farming will be expanded in the district if it gets government patronisation.
