What began as a hobby has grown into a thriving agricultural enterprise for Kabir Hossain Khan of Madaripur, who now earns around Tk10 lakh annually from mango sales alone.
Kabir, a resident of Bakultala area in Madaripur Sadar Upazila, established a nursery and orchard on 2.2 acres of leased land near the Arial Khan River in Pakhira village under Khoajpur Union.
His venture, which started in 2016, has since become a model of successful horticulture in the district.
Driven by a lifelong passion for trees and inspired by his late mother Majeda Begum, who regularly planted saplings around their home, Kabir gradually transformed his dream into reality.
Unable to secure a large plot of his own, he leased the land and began cultivating mangoes, jackfruit and a variety of fruit, flower and vegetable plants.
Today, the nursery boasts around 10 varieties of mango trees, alongside jackfruit, lychee and other fruit-bearing species. It also contains more than 20 varieties of flowering plants and 10 types of vegetables.
A dedicated cactus corner, housing around 25 species, has become another attraction. Although he does not currently sell cacti, he is expanding the collection through seed propagation with plans to market them in the future.
In addition to fruit trees, Kabir cultivates chemical-free vegetables, including okra, taro, stems and leafy varieties. The nursery provides employment for five workers, a source of pride for the entrepreneur.
According to Kabir, mango sales generate at least Tk10 lakh each season, while flowers and vegetables contribute a further Tk300,000 annually.
His orchard has gained a reputation for producing safe, formalin-free mangoes, attracting buyers not only from Madaripur but also from neighbouring districts. Many customers prefer to visit the orchard and pick their own fruit before purchasing.
Tamim Adnan, a regular customer, said he buys mangoes from the orchard every year because they are free from harmful chemicals and reasonably priced.
“Depending on the variety, mangoes are sold at between Tk70 and Tk100 per kilogramme. The taste is excellent, and I trust the quality,” he said.
Another visitor, Rakib Hasan, who came to purchase flowering plants, said Kabir’s success had inspired him to consider establishing a mango orchard on unused land at his village home.
“Trees are friends of both people and the environment. Seeing this orchard has encouraged me to think seriously about starting one myself,” he said.
Kabir said he never imagined the nursery would become so successful.
“I started this project purely out of passion. Managing it can be challenging because it is some distance from my home, but the orchard has become the centre of my daily life. It brings me joy, generates income and provides employment opportunities for others,” he said.
He added that many young people now visit the nursery to learn about orchard management and seek advice on starting similar ventures.
“An orchard is not only a source of income; it also helps maintain ecological balance. I have many plans for its future development,” he said.
Al-Amin, sub-assistant agriculture officer of Madaripur Sadar Upazila, described Kabir’s achievement as an inspiring example of successful agricultural entrepreneurship.
“His orchard has earned a strong reputation in the district. We regularly provide technical advice and support, and his success is encouraging many others to invest in fruit cultivation,” he said.
