For Abdul Kaium Hossen, it all started with five bighas of land in Savar at the age of 16.

With the help of his father Abdul Kader, he started farming exotic vegetables in Metka area in 1999.

But the journey was not an easy one.

Back then, few were involved in growing exotic vegetables due to a scarcity of seeds, he said.

With hard work and determination, the 34-year-old farmer has not only set an inspiring example by farming exotic vegetables, many other growers are also following suit in a bid to change their lot.

For the last several years, Kaium has been successfully cultivating exotic vegetables including spring onion, baby corn, Chinese cabbage, red cabbage, sweet corn, Thai spinach, lettuce roll rose, lettuce leaf, icebarg lettuce, Cherry tomato and French bean on his land.

At present, his area of cultivation is 120 bighas, mostly leased.

During a recent visit to his fields, this correspondent found workers busy harvesting vegetables and preparing those for transport.

Selling of exotic vegetables is more profitable because of a high demand, Kaium said, “I used to sell those to different renowned hotels in and outside Dhaka, where foreigners used to stay.”

Krishak Bangla Agro Product, owned by Kaium's younger brother Kubbat Hossen Ovi, supplies the vegetables to the hotels. Ovi looks after the marketing, said Kaium, a father of two.

He said the vegetables can be cultivated throughout the year.

Kaium engages 50 to 60 workers in his fields every day and uses two of his pickups for transport.

At least 20 to 25 farmers are cultivating exotic vegetables with the help of Kaium, said Nurul Islam, a farmer in Metka area, adding that Kaium gives them necessary instructions and information in light of his experience.

Liton Mia, another resident, echoed him.

Spring onion, which is used for preparing several foreign food items, is more profitable than the others, said Kaium. “I cultivate spring onion on eight bighas last year.”

“By spending 20,000 to 25,000 taka per bigha, I got 2,000 to 2,200 kilogrammes of yield within three months this year, which sells at 50 to 55 taka per kg,” added Kaium.

One can earn Tk 80,000 to Tk 90,000 in three to six months if the weather is favourable, he observed.

Alauddin Mia, a local farmer, said he earned Tk 40,000 by growing spring onion on 20 decimals of land.

Kaium said, at the beginning, he faced problems with seed collection, because they were rarely available. “I used to buy seeds from Dhaka's Siddik Bazar at high prices.

“Now, I sometimes have my brother import those from different countries including, India, Thailand, Australia, the Netherlands, and China.”

A lot of foreign currencies can be earned by exporting such vegetables if the government takes necessary steps, he said.

Kaium, who has been working tirelessly for 18 years, said he will help others grow confidence in them so they can improve their lives through endurance.

Mofidul Islam, officer at the Department of Agricultural Extension in Savar, said Kaium became a role model for them growing exotic vegetables in Savar.

He said they are observing the vegetable fields so that they can provide the farmers with good seeds, fertilizer and quality pesticides.

“In future, we will arrange trainings for the growers,” said Mofidul.