উপজেলা কৃষি অফিসারের কার্যালয়

Mithun Datta (Contact: +8801714358726 is 30 years old young man educated by H.S.C. Mr. Datta is a Sales Officer of Abul Khayer Group with a monthly salary of BDT 10000.00 in the Mirzaganj area. Also, he is a smallholder, and progressive farmer embodying only 60 decimal (0.60 acres) cultivable land and practiced different types of high-value vegetables/fruits in his marginal land. Mr. Datta, son of Late Nirmal Bondhu Datta, lives in the Kismoth Chaylabunia village under Amragachia union of Mirzaganj, Patuakhali district. Under the SACP, he is a producer and marketing group member with Beneficiaries Identification (B.I.D.) number of SACP 079.38.06.

Before being selected as a demonstration farmer, he received comprehensive hands-on training under the Smallholders Agricultural Competitiveness Project (SACP) of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). As a result, he learned good detail about modern cultivation practices regarding various high-value crops and fruit gardening. Also, he gathered knowledge on market management, post-harvest management, and primary processing of high-value crops from another marketing-related training under the project. Being guided by above this knowledge, in the last fiscal year (2020-21), he cultivated off-season watermelon and rock melon in 30 decimal(0.30 acre) land with the input and technical support of the project and earned handsome income.

However, after being selected as a demo farmer, the Upazila Agriculture office provided him with necessary seeds, fertilizers, fencing, and other supports to continue off-season watermelon and rock melon demonstration under SACP. With all technical & financial support from the project and his hard labour, Mr. Datta successfully performed this hard task. According to the technical assistance of the Upazila Agriculture Officer and SAAOs, He cultivated two types of off-season fruit varieties named Blackberry Bengal Tigers (watermelon) and Chia Thai (rock melon) in his marginal land. He planted both types of seeds on 25/05/2021 during the 2020-21 fiscal year and harvested fruits within 80 days only dated 15/08/2021. He produced 52 nos. of watermelon (@ 2.5 Kg/fruit) and 40 nos. rock melon (@ 3.0 Kg/fruit).

Mr. Datta sold watermelon locally while he sold rock melon to Shawpna Shopping at Dhaka city with the assistance of Upazila Agriculture Officer (U.A.O.), Mirzaganj. However, he earned B.D.T. 13000.00 from Blackberry Bengal Tigers (watermelon) and B.D.T. 36000.00 from Chia Thai (rock melon). In total, he spent BDT 21,500.00 only for seeds, fertilizers, mulching film, trellis, fencing, intercultural operation, etc., and grossly earned BDT 49000.00 only. Maximum support he received from the SACP project, and besides, he turned it into an economically benefited project with his contribution.

Observing the off-season watermelon and rock melon demonstration by Mr. Datta nearby farmers became inspired to cultivate off-season fruits like a watermelon from next season. His success has impacted the community of other farmers to cultivate the HVC. Now he has become a leader in the area for his success. Mr. Datta feels proud of him when villagers contact him for advice. Now he is a well-known person to the community, and this is possible only for the demonstration of off-season watermelon and rock melon. With this success now, his lifeline, children's education, and social image have remarkably and enviably risen. He always invites the media and his well-wishers to publish his success and believes that other farmers could do better by following proper guidelines.

Really, is he participants of the group? He is full time salaried staff and getting good amount of money though he owns 60 decimal land. Please rethink about this information.