Fruit trees grow easily in the nurturing soil of Madhupur Gar in Tangail. Papaya, Banana, Pineapple, Jackfruit, Olive, Mango, Guava, Malta and Dragon fruots are commonly found all over the year on the trunk of the trees here.
Batabi and Paper Lemons are the guest crops in the orchard while Ginger-Turmeric cultivation is a bonus for this region. Pineapple, Banana, Mango, Jackfruit, Papaya and Litchi gardens are found in almost every village of Madhupur Gar, having high and low hills of red soil.
The indigenous Garos and Bengalis of the village have been making a living by cultivating fruits for about 75 years. Madhupur is known for its tradition of fruit-production for many years.
During the Sultanate period, the indigenous Garos cleared the forest and settled here. The mainstay of their livelihood was Zum farming. Bengali settlements developed here during the British rule. In the land of Zum, the Garos used to grow Melons, Beechnuts, Cotton, Wild Potatoes and Khira.
When the government banned Zum-Farming in the 1950s, agriculture in the village changed. Cultivation of Mango, Jackfruit, Pineapple, Banana, Papaya, Plum, Litchi etc. Staying here, gradually it took the form of commercial agriculture.
Madhupur is home to thousands of people. One-third of the population here is Garo. It was in their hands that the journey of pineapple cultivation started here which later spread all over Madhupur. At present pineapple is cultivated in about 28,000 acres in Madhupur Gar.
Litchi, Banana, Plum and Papaya are added at different times with Pineapple but, the most commercially produced crop is pineapple. Besides, pineapple, litchi and banana are also commercial frits for the inhabitants.
Pineapple trader Salam said that Madhupur produces fruits worth hundreds of crores of Taka every year.
On an average, 98 per cent people of Madhupur have changed their life by producing only fruits. Rahim, a Pineapple-Farmer in Mudhupur, said fruits are available in different villages of Mudhupur throughout the year.
However, May to December is mainly the season for fruits. At this time there is a sweet smell of fruit around Modhupur.