Paikgachha (Khulna) Correspondent:
In the salty winds and adverse weather conditions of the coast, where it is difficult to grow ordinary crops, Taiyebur Rahman, an indomitable and courageous farmer from Paikgachha, has made a name for himself by cultivating foreign sweet grapes. This cultivation, which was started as a hobby, has now opened the door to a new commercial opportunity in coastal agriculture.
Birashi villages of Kapilmuni Union in Paikgachha Upazila of Khulna are also cultivating grapes in brackish water. Looking at a corner of the village, it seems like a foreign vineyard. 10 different varieties of grapes, including Baikonur, Purple, Green Long, Eklo and Super Nova, are hanging in bunches on the roof. Some bunches weigh more than one kilogram.
Taiyebur Rahman, who has already been recognized as the best farmer at the upazila level in squash cultivation, has now chosen this challenging grape cultivation. Local farmers and curious visitors flock to see his incredible success every day. In explaining how this success came about, Tayebur Rahman said that he learned the technique of this cultivation with the help of YouTube and agricultural websites.
Although he started the experiment with just two plants last year, he currently has about 20 large plants and about 1,000 seedlings for sale in his garden. He is using ‘geo bags’ and the modern loft method instead of the traditional method. The advantages of geo bags allow the roots of the plants to be controlled and the adverse effects of saline soil make it easier to manage the necessary fertilizers and water.
Currently, the seedlings in his garden are being sold at a price of 100 to 300 taka, which has created great interest among local farmers. Entrepreneur Tayebur Rahman said, “Although I started it as a hobby at first, I can now clearly see its commercial potential. I have been able to prove that it is possible to grow sweet grapes in saline areas.
If anyone wants to come forward in this cultivation, I am ready to provide them with all kinds of technical support.” Meanwhile, seeing this success of Taiyebur Rahman, many local farmers are now becoming interested in grape cultivation. Every day, people from far and wide come to visit his garden and collect seedlings. Upazila Agriculture Officer and agronomist Md. Ekramul Hossain called this initiative ‘exceptional and revolutionary’.
He said, “It is generally believed that coastal soil is not suitable for grape cultivation. But Taiyebur Rahman has proven that idea wrong by using modern technology. The Agriculture Department is providing him with all the necessary advice and there are plans to spread this model throughout the upazila.” This sweet grape cultivation in the salty soil of Paikgachha is not just a personal success, but it is a new example of overcoming the adversities of the coastal region.
If it gets government and private sponsorship, the stakeholders believe that this ‘grape revolution’ can add a new dimension to the economy of the southern region.