Staff Reporter:
Sajid Mia, a young man from Bogdahar village in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria, has emerged as a successful agricultural entrepreneur by cultivating bitter gourd using modern and scientific methods after returning from expatriate life.
After leaving his job abroad, Sajid cleared previously uncultivated wasteland at Ahmed City Garden in his village and began bitter gourd cultivation with guidance from the local Upazila Agriculture Office. His initiative has now become a source of inspiration for local youth.
With continuous advice and training from Deputy Assistant Agricultural Officer Abu Noman, Sajid adopted modern technologies such as mulching, drip irrigation, and balanced fertilizer management. These methods helped reduce production costs while significantly increasing yields. Sajid cultivated climate-tolerant Maharani Hybrid bitter gourd on about 40% of the land using the mulching method. He also received material support through an exhibition under the Flood Reconstruction Emergency Assistance Project of the Department of Agricultural Extension.
Harvesting of bitter gourd is currently underway. So far, around 600 kilograms have been harvested and sold at a wholesale price of Tk60 per kilogram, generating approximately Tk36,000 in revenue. Sajid expects to harvest an additional 1.5 to 2 tonnes within the next month and a half if weather conditions remain favourable, which could earn him between Tk1.5 lakh and Tk2 lakh.
“I wanted to do something permanent in my own country with the money I earned through hard work abroad. Agriculture seemed to me the safest and most respectable profession,” Sajid said.
He has also begun clearing surrounding land and plans to cultivate tomatoes, cucumbers, and off-season watermelons on another three bighas during the current season. Deputy Assistant Agricultural Officer Abu Noman said vegetables from Sajid’s farm are now being supplied regularly to the local market, ensuring financial stability for him and creating employment opportunities for several unemployed youths.
Nabinagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Jahangir Alam Liton said that if returnee youths invest in agriculture in a planned manner, they can play a significant role in boosting food production and employment in the country.
Sajid’s success demonstrates that agriculture can be a profitable and sustainable profession through proper planning, hard work, and effective use of modern technology. The Department of Agricultural Extension continues to provide training, demonstrations, and field-level support to encourage enterprising youth to engage in agriculture.
