বাংলাWhat began as a hobby has turned into a promising agricultural business for Minhaz, a young farmer and student from Bochaganj in Dinajpur. After getting a good harvest from his first watermelon crop, he expanded into colorful watermelon farming with guidance from local agricultural officials.
Minhaz, son of Golam Mostafa of Chandipur village in Rangangaon Union, is studying Fazil (Honours) at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Dhaka. Alongside his studies, he is cultivating watermelons on trellises using modern farming methods.
After completing his Alim examination, Minhaz bought two packets of watermelon seeds and began cultivation on family land. Encouraged by the first harvest, he contacted the upazila agriculture office and later started commercial colorful watermelon farming using modern techniques.
He is currently growing two varieties through mulching and trellis cultivation. The yellow variety, known as ‘Surjo Dim’, was grown from seeds collected from outside the country. The black ‘Marcello’ variety is being cultivated under a government single-fruit-garden demonstration programme supported by the agriculture office.
Minhaz says he has spent around Tk 80,000, including the lease cost, to cultivate watermelons on 50 decimals of land. Sales have already begun, with the fruit currently selling for around Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kilogram.
He has already sold watermelons worth around Tk 100,000. If market prices remain favourable, he expects total sales to reach between Tk 250,000 and Tk 300,000.
According to the Bochaganj agriculture office, the black Marcello watermelon is being cultivated under a government demonstration programme through the Rangangaon Sustainable Agriculture Development Farmers Group as part of a sustainable agricultural development project in the Dinajpur region.
Minhaz encourages educated young people looking for employment opportunities to contact local agriculture offices and consider becoming agricultural entrepreneurs. He believes farming can provide young people with an opportunity to become self-reliant.
Bochaganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Nayan Kumar Saha praised Minhaz’s initiative, saying that his modern watermelon cultivation alongside his studies could inspire other educated young people. He also highlighted the potential of agriculture when modern technology and expert advice are properly used.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Maruf Hasan also praised the initiative, saying Minhaz has created an employment opportunity for himself while encouraging other young people to become involved in agriculture.
From a small hobby project to a commercial venture, Minhaz’s colorful watermelon farming has become a promising example of how young people can explore modern agriculture while continuing their education.
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