Alveena Garden in Niz Dhakadakshin village. Photo: BSS

SYLHET, Sept 1, 2025 (BSS) - Golapganj upazila in Sylhet is witnessing a growing interest in agritourism, with pineapple plantations, agroforestry ventures and scenic rural landscapes drawing visitors and investors alike.

Once known primarily for its agricultural output, Golapganj is increasingly being recognised for offering immersive rural experiences that combine farming, nature, and local hospitality. At the heart of this shift is the rise of large-scale agro-tourist attractions, including private fruit gardens and community-run eco-sites.

One of the standout destinations is the Chand Mia Pineapple Garden in Dhakadakshin Union. Covering more than 2,000 acres, the plantation cultivates the popular Honey Queen variety of pineapple. 

According to local sources, more than 200,000 saplings have been planted since 2019, with peak harvesting months attracting hundreds of domestic tourists interested in tasting the fruit directly from the fields.

Another fast-growing site is Alveena Garden in Niz Dhakadakshin village, which features a mix of pineapples, coffee, cashew, lemon, malta and ginger.

Operated with the support from Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), the garden has been developed with tourism in mind, offering ticketed access and guided tours.

"The garden has become more than just a farm — it’s a place where people come to relax, take photos, and learn about agriculture,” said Abdullah Al Manaur, the site manager at the plantation.

He said a significant number of tourists visit Alveena Garden in peak tourism season from December to February, and enjoy fruits of the garden apart from passing recreational time.

Md Abdur Rab, the owner of Alveena Garden who was an expatriate, said he returned home from London in 2022 and built the garden on 17 acres of hilly land by taking lease from a local landlord.

He said after seeing his success, many investors are coming forward to establishing orchards in Golapganj, promoting agritourism here.

To explore the potential of Golapganj, Abdur Rab asked the government to build it as an agritourism zone.

Experts say Golapganj is well-positioned to develop a sustainable agritourism sector but note that infrastructure and marketing remain key challenges.

Currently, access to some sites remains limited due to underdeveloped roads and lack of signage. In addition, most of the tourism activity is seasonal and dependent on local arrangements.

“There is strong local enthusiasm and significant natural beauty here,” said Muhammad Anisuzzaman, additional deputy director at Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Sylhet. 

He said a plan has been taken to increase agricultural production in Golapganj through agritourism. 

So far, he said pineapple, coffee, and cashew orchards have been established on 40 hillocks.

"There are still about 1,200 hillocks that remain uncultivated, with an area of ??about 1,635 ha which are being planned to be brought under cultivation," Anisuzzaman told BSS.