Bashir Al Mamun, Ctg : Tobacco cultivation has been going on in the vast fields of Kakara Union in Chakaria Upazila of Cox`s Bazar for a long time. However, this time, local farmer Mohammad Kaisar (42) has cultivated strawberries in a part of that field. He is a resident of the Minibazar area of ​​Kakara Union.

Kaisar`s strawberry farm is on the banks of the Matamuhuri River near his house. He cultivates strawberries on 30 acres of land. Kaisar said that initially he collected 4,000 seedlings of the American `Festival` variety from a nursery in Rajshahi for cultivation. Each seedling cost 60 taka. In addition, the total cost of cultivation, including land preparation, fertilizer, and labor, was about 400,000 taka. However, he has already sold strawberries worth about 450,000 taka. Kaisar said, `If the weather is favorable, I hope to sell another 200,000 to 250,000 taka of fruit.`

Kaisar planted strawberry seedlings on November 17 last year. The trees began flowering shortly after. Fruit collection began on January 28. Currently, 15 to 17 kg of strawberries are being collected every day. These fruits are supplied to supermarkets, fruit shops and wholesalers in Chakaria and Cox`s Bazar. He has sold strawberries for up to Tk 1,000 per kg.

Kaichar`s acquaintance with strawberries is not new. He said that he first cultivated this fruit in 2007. However, due to low demand in the local market, he stopped cultivating strawberries after two years. Later, he started cultivating them again in 2021. Last season, he sold strawberries worth about 1.5 million taka and earned 8 million taka.

According to Kaichar, strawberries are a winter fruit. Cultivated in well-drained soil using mulching methods, weeds are reduced and the fruit remains clean. Regular irrigation and care can yield good yields. Yields also increase when there is more cold and fog.

The alluvial soil accumulated in the pastures due to the hilly slopes upstream of the Matamuhuri River during the monsoon, which has made the land fertile. Kaisar believes that this has led to a good strawberry yield. He said that earlier he used to cultivate tobacco on 12 acres of land. Now he is gradually reducing it and cultivating strawberries, capsicum and broccoli. This season, he has cultivated tobacco on only one and a half acres of land. He plans to stop it completely in the future.

The Chakaria Upazila Agriculture Department said that other farmers are also showing interest in cultivating strawberries due to the good yield in Kaichar`s fields. Many are visiting his fields and seeking advice on strawberry cultivation. Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahnaz Ferdousi said that Kaichar`s initiative is creating interest in cultivating alternative crops in the area. He is also being advised by the Agriculture Department.