Rajib Hossain Rajon, Shariatpur
Solaiman Khan of Chhoto Kachna village under Nagerpara union of Shariatpur district has created a sensation in the area by cultivating Saudi Date (Date-plum) trees.
Many of the Date trees of his orchard are now bearing fruits. Many inquisitive people from surrounding areas are visiting his orchard to watch those Date trees and to purchase Date saplings.
Solaiman said that he procured some Date saplings through his friends in Saudi Arabia. Later, he collected those from Narsingdi and Gazipur districts and transplanted those on two bigas of his land.
In Cooperation with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the continued to nurture the Date trees and was able to create the large Date orchard. At the same time, he has made a nursery of Date saplings and now selling each sapling for Taka 100 to 500 to the customers.
He further said, at present, there are some 4,000 Date trees in his orchard. He said, there is a tremendous demand for Saudi dates throughout the country.
Unemployed young men can become self-reliant by cultivating Saudi Date in the country. He informed three to four maunds( 120 to 160 kgs) of date can be produced from a full-grown tree every year.
Humayun Akon, Member of Nagarpara Union Parishad, said that Solaiman has created a sensation by cultivating Saudi Date in his village.
Many people from far-flung areas are visiting his orchard to watch Date trees and to purchase saplings. He added, many young men of neighbouring villages are being inspired to cultivate Data plants.
Kalyan Kumar Biswas, Upazila Agriculture Officer of Gosairhat upazila, said that Saudi Date saplings can be grown from the Saudi Date Seeds by putting the seeds under water for four days. He added the soil of Kachna village was also suitable for Date cultivation.
