Farmer Sanwar Hossain is now feeling great potential in coffee cultivation due to the high yield of coffee. He believes, by exploiting the interest of farmers, coffee cultivation in Bangladesh can be revolutionized.
Coffee is one of the best popular drinks in the world. It is fast becoming popular among the youths of Bangladesh in a short time.
Due to its economic importance and climate, experimental coffee cultivation started in the hilly region of Bandarban a few years ago. Being successful, the Department of Agricultural Extension is trying to spread it across the country while many have turned their attention to coffee cultivation with their own initiative.
One such person is Sanwar Hossain of Madhupur upazila of Tangail. He has planted a coffee garden behind his house in Mahishmara village of the upazila. In addition to various fruit crops, he developed this coffee garden as a hobby. But he is now considering great potential in coffee cultivation due to high yield.
He said that the hilly region of Madhupur is suitable for coffee cultivation considering its economic importance and climate. After passing BA in 1992, Sanwar Hossain taught English in a high school at Sylhet for four years. Later, he left teaching and returned to Madhupur to engage himself in his father's agricultural land that made him successful. At least 10 types of fruits including coffee are being cultivated in his garden. He is considered an ideal among the people of his locality producing safe fruits.
Sanwar Hossain said, “I planted these coffee seedlings out of the intoxication of eating tea and coffee. I bought 200 saplings in 2017 from Raikhali Agricultural Research Center at Bandarban. After two years, some fruits came last year. And this year a huge quantity of fruits has come.”
He said by his experience gained in last year, even if there is about 2 kg of fruit per plant, about 250 grams can be obtained by drying it. However, he does not have a coffee processing machine. He demanded that the government should provide coffee marketing or processing equipment.
“My yield has been very good by cultivating coffee. I have experienced no problem with this new cultivation. The Agriculture Office is supporting me all the time. Coffee seedlings can be made within six months,” said Sanwar Hossain.
It has been seen on the spot that there are 450 coffee trees in Sanwar Hossain's garden. Every branch from the base of every tree is full of fruits. Some fruits have also started ripening. He has also planted 200 coffee saplings in another farmer's land. Besides coffee, various fruits are also being cultivated in the garden.
Meanwhile, a local person who came to visit Sanwar Hossain's garden said that Sanwar Hossain is ideal for the people of the area in producing safe fruits and crops. Many people come every day to visit the coffee garden. They were overwhelmed to see coffee trees and gardens first-time in their lives. Many are taking the advice of Sanwar Hossain to plant a coffee garden.
Sanwar Hossain has hired some workers to take care of the coffee garden. They said that their family is doing well with the salary they get from working in the coffee garden.
