Photo : BSS

By Kalam Azad

BOGURA, Nov 30, 2025 (BSS) - After several unsuccessful attempts to build a future abroad, MA Hasan, a young man of Sadar upazila, has emerged as a successful strawberry cultivator in the country.  

Today, his Shalin Agro Farm in Rai Majhira village is a thriving model of commercial strawberry farming, drawing buyers and visitors from across the country.

Hasan, who returned home disheartened in 2014 after multiple trips abroad, decided not to give up. He began farming mixed fruits—papaya and strawberries—on just 2 bighas of land. 

For four years he saw no profit, yet he continued experimenting with new strawberry varieties and producing seedlings. His persistence paid off. Gradually he phased out other fruits to focus entirely on strawberries, which today form the backbone of his agricultural enterprise.

Now, on 16 bighas of farmland, Hasan cultivates strawberries on 7 bighas. The farm grows several high-yield varieties, including Winter Dawn, Montier, American Festival, and F-21. Fruits are typically harvested from January to April, while seedling sales continue throughout the year.

October to December is the prime season for planting strawberry seedlings, and the activity at Shalin Agro Farm reflects that. Agricultural workers were seen preparing land and raising seedlings during a recent visit. 

Depending on variety, seedlings sell for Taka 10–40 each during the season, with prices rising significantly in the off-season—sometimes up to Taka 500.

Buyers from almost all districts of the country visit Hasan’s farm. Many discover him through social media and YouTube, including young entrepreneurs Saikat Islam and Imran from Dhunat upazila, who returned to purchase more seedlings after successful previous harvests.

Hasan’s success has also created employment for 16 local workers, each earning Taka 600 per day. Workers say they enjoy the job and take pride in watching the fields fill with ripe, red fruit each season.

During peak harvest, each strawberry plant yields 1–1.5 kg of fruit, which sells for Taka 300–1,000 per kg depending on the variety. 

Hasan supplies strawberries to multiple districts, generating substantial income from both fruits and seedlings. 

He said, I started with a capital of Taka 30 thousand on 2 bighas of land. Now the area of this strawberry garden is 7 bighas. At least half a crore taka of seedlings and fruits are sold from this garden annually. 

In the off-season, the sale of seedlings is less. But then the price is higher. Each seedling was sold for a maximum of Taka 500.

“If you give time to business or agriculture, money will come. Patience is key,” he said. “When I started, I had no one to guide me. Now, I make sure new entrepreneurs don’t face the same struggle.”

Alongside selling seedlings, Hasan provides guidance on cultivating strawberries, using fertilizers and pesticides properly, and marketing fruit. His farm has become both a learning center and an inspiration for aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs across the country.