A sweet life of Thai guavas

In the quiet of his orchard Mominul Islam, 32, from Baninagar village in Lalmonirhat's Kaliganj upazila finds the serenity to reflect upon his life. “I never spent valuable time hunting an elusive government job,” he says. “I used my time well, growing fruit, putting into practice all that I learnt from my father.” Mominul has reason to feel satisfied. The locally renowned orchardist committed to organic farming enjoys a good life, underpinned by the sweetness of Thai guavas.

“With a net profit of around Tk 30 lakhs per annum,” he says, “my lifestyle is better than that of a government employee.”  

Mominul graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from a local college in 2005. The family had little

land, but determined Mominul dedicated himself to fruit growing and leased 26 bighas of land at a cost of 12 maunds of paddy per bigha per annum to pursue his purpose. Initially he farmed various fruit crops including strawberries. It was four years ago, when he established a Thai guava orchard of 4,200 trees on leased land, that he found the road leading to his version of 'la dolce vita'.

“The guavas bear fruit twice a year, in summer and winter,” he says. “Each tree yields up to 35 kilograms of fruit per season, which means sales reach around Tk 60 lakh per year. I also earn up to Tk 7 lakh from selling guava seedlings from the nursery established on three bighas beside the orchard.” To sell the harvest is never a problem. Traders travel from Dhaka to buy his fruit, he adds.

Mominul employs twenty permanent labourers to tend his orchard at a yearly cost of around Tk 15 lakh. He spends Tk 6 lakhs producing organic fertiliser and a further Tk 3 lakh on leasing the land.

“We are kept busy in Mominul's orchard producing organic fertiliser and tending the guava trees,” says one employee Abdus Salam, 42. “His guava orchard provides round-the-year work for us.”

“I've never used chemical fertiliser and pesticide in the orchard,” explains Mominul. “I know that such products damage the soil's fertility and ultimately reduce production. Instead, I use bags to keep the ripening fruit safe from insects and other pests.”

Many locals have visited Mominul's orchard in search of the secret of his success. “Mominul gives useful advice on how to grow guavas,” says neighbouring farmer Madhuram Chandra Das, 52.

Mominul's family is understandably proud of his achievements. “My son is the district's best farmer,”says his father Mominul Haque. “He understands the soil. From his farming experience during his student life he has learnt a lot. Along with vegetables I also farm fruit on our six acres, inspired by my son's success.”