Those of us who live in cities, often dream to be involved with nature, greenery, have a small garden in the yard or terrace etc. However, we aren't able to do it for many reasons. Some can't gather the equipment needed or the terrace might belong to multiple owners etc. Nonetheless, that dream has always been nurtured. Only a few are able to fulfil that dream. On the other hand, there is a story where an individual is helping others to fulfil this dream. Zahid Chakladar, a man from Dhaka, is implementing this dream of others in the villages of Ranisankail and Pirganj, two outlying areas of Thakurgaon, a northern district of Bangladesh. Say, you want to own a mango orchard, Zahid will make you one. I am going to tell you the interesting story of how he is making dreams true for others.

Nowadays, we buy apartments. Developers get lands, fill rivers and canals and build concrete apartments. One buys an apartment there. However, Zahid will make you an owner of a mango orchard. So, you will be able to be involved with greenery, nature, fruits and crops. He will give you a land. You will be the owner of it. There will be plenty of mango trees there. You will produce 100% chemical free mangoes from there. Even the responsibility of production is on Zahid. 

A few days back, I went to Thakurgaon after hearing about the unique idea of Zahid. 

Yes, the idea is completely new. Once visiting the northern region and seeing vast and desolate lands there, an innovative idea came to his mind. The dream that started in 2012 has gone far in these five years. Zahid has presented an example in front of us that it is possible to be involved with greenery through commercial projects, to form a society of agricultural enterprises and attract citizens to agriculture.

Within a few years, his project area turned into a rich mango orchard and quite a few people have bought plots or mango orchards here.

A young man from Dhaka, Mohiuddin, has a plot here. I had a conversation with him regarding how and when he got interested.

"I personally own two plots," says Mohiuddin.

"When did you buy?" I asked. 

"In 2013," he replied.

"How many times did you get fruits?" I asked Mohiuddin.

"Two times. This will be the third time. How much mango did you get from your orchard? 96 kg per plot," Mohiuddin replied with a smile on his face.

Many people bought mango orchards by following the others. All of them became owners of mango orchards while residing in the capital. Even some organizations bought mango orchards here.

Zahid Chakladar is following a particular technique in making this mango orchard.

"I saw that city people invest in cities -- in different industries. I realised that if anyone buys a land here with a little money, then the agriculture sector will develop," says Zahid.

"If I provide the support, say, make the orchard myself, look after it, and let the owners be involved if they want to, then the dream of getting chemical-free mango will come true," added Zahid.  

Zahid has seen a few people make orchards in the terrace. However, not all can do that. People in apartments cannot do it.

"As I surveyed lands and discussed with people, many others supported me. At first I bought three acres of land in this area. Now I have orchards over seven acres of land. The good news spread very fast," he said.

So, how's he managing the seven acre area?

"I have made units comprising five decimals each -- 60 feet long and 36 feet wide," says Zahid who now has 131 mango orchards on his seven acre land. Already he sold 90 orchards each at 2.50 lakh taka. His deed says the owners of the plot aren't allowed to go for any construction on the plot for 20 years. This is a great method to keep the area green for a long time. The owners can come and pick mangoes on their own but if they want to get the mangoes at home Zahid will arrange it for a service charge of Tk 500 only. Zahid will take care of the production as well. Each five-decimal orchard has 54 mango trees. He is growing mainly Amropali, Lengra, Haribhanga mango varieties here. It's a gradual growing process.   

Agriculturalist Sanwar has given his own explanation behind Zahid's initiative.

It might sound unbelievable that there are 54 trees in five decimal lands. It is being done temporarily with dense plantation method. Although 54 trees are planted, there is a layout. It says after ten years Amropali will be moved away and replaced by Lengra and Fazli. So, the method is correct," says Sanwar.

According to Sanwar, it is similar to relay crop of a certain period. Yes readers, you may call it intercropping. Only instead of cultivating something else in the mango orchard, Zahid is planting smaller sized mango plants. 

Zahid gives credit to his friend Delwar Hossain for helping him out in the project and also the local people.

Those who bought mango orchards here agree that every promise that has been made from the start have been met. Thus, their faith is increasing day by day.

When one buys an orchard here, the rest of the family gets interested in buying too. Like this, the orchards here have become a family venue and of course a get-together spot.

Zahid Chakladar is a great ambitious young man. His initiatives are agriculture-friendly and wide-ranging. With high hopes for this project, he has been working with sincerity. This initiative of Zahid is very acceptable to the people of the area too. This orchard has opened eyes of many.

Dear readers, initiatives of collective business or helping to fulfil others' dreams are appreciated worldwide today. It is very promising that such kind of creative ideas have come to the young people of our country. Zahid's project has many positive aspects. The initiative is entirely agriculture-friendly and people get the opportunity of having completely chemical free healthy mangoes throughout the year. Besides, people can reside here and keep up the works at the orchards.

I believe, many more initiatives like this will be taken. Many will be able to fulfil their dreams by participating in one's innovative idea. Zahid's revolutionary initiative excites me greatly. I believe there are possibilities of young people like Zahid getting involved with agriculture who will bring creative and effective ideas to make people happy about farming, greenery and show the people the real roadmap to sustainability.