A young entrepreneur in Rajbari has challenged the long-held belief that sweet grapes cannot be grown in Bangladesh by successfully cultivating 204 grape varieties on just 1.5 bighas of land.
The initiative by Fardin Ahmed, a robotics engineering graduate from Goalanda Upazila, has drawn nationwide attention as visitors, farmers and agriculture students flock to his vineyard to witness the unusual success story.
Fardin established the vineyard under the name “Grape Engineering Agro and Recharge” at Kuthi Panchuria village under Chotovakla Union. The farm currently hosts around 500 grape plants, including Russian Baikonur, Ukrainian Velez, Japanese Ruby Roman, Lamborghini and Black Magic varieties.
The journey began during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 after coaching centres in Dhaka shut down and Fardin returned to his village home. His first attempt to grow grapes in the yard failed as the fruits were not suitable for consumption.
Instead of giving up, he began researching foreign grape cultivation techniques through online platforms and gradually developed expertise in soil management, fertiliser application and vineyard care.
In May 2025, he launched commercial cultivation on 1.5 bighas of land using modern trellis farming methods. He said the project has so far required an investment of around Tk13.5 lakh.
“Initially many people laughed at the idea because they believed sweet grapes could never grow in Bangladesh,” Fardin said.
“But after the first harvest produced quality and sweet fruits, the same people became interested and supportive,” he added.
Apart from grape production, Fardin is also supplying saplings of imported varieties to growers across the country through courier services, creating an additional source of income.
The vineyard has already generated employment for around 10 to 12 local workers, according to caretaker Shahid Mia.
Local farmer Abdur Rahim said he once believed grapes could only be grown in colder countries.
“After seeing bunches of grapes hanging from the vines here in Rajbari, I realised we were wrong. I am now planning to start a small vineyard myself,” he said.
Agriculture student Nusrat Jahan said the vineyard was an important example of how modern techniques and research-based farming could transform agriculture in Bangladesh.
She said the successful cultivation of globally recognised grape varieties in local conditions was highly inspiring for young people.
Rajbari Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Md Shoidul Islam described the initiative as encouraging for the country’s agriculture sector.
“The success of foreign grape varieties in Bangladesh proves the country’s soil and climate can support such cultivation if proper technology and management are applied,” he said.
He added that the agriculture department would provide technical guidance and necessary support to help expand the initiative further.
Encouraged by the initial success, Fardin has already expanded cultivation by another 4.5 bighas, focusing mainly on the Baikonur variety.
He also plans to develop the vineyard into an agro-tourism resort where visitors will be able to spend time in nature and collect grapes directly from the farm.
