Md Moniruzzaman of Abdullahpur union of Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj, early in his business life had set up a sunflower Cold Storage and a Sun Flower Garden next to the storage. The garden was built on the banks of the river Abdullahpur. There is no one in Munsigang who is not familiar with it.
It would not be wrong to call him a successful entrepreneur. In addition to the cold storage business, he decided to start another business. According to the plan, he started cultivating dragon fruit on 8 acres of land in front of Abdullahpur Union. Dragon fruit saplings were produced at this place two years ago. Later the seedlings were planted in the land. As a result of good care, some yield came in the first year. They are hoping for good results in the second year.
Golam Hossain, former chairman of Abdullahpur Union, who is in charge of looking after the dragon fruit orchard, said, "We are the first to start commercial cultivation of dragon fruit in Abdullahpur union of Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj.
“Two years ago my older brother dreamed of commercial cultivation of dragon fruit. He is Moniruzzaman, the owner of Sunflower Cold Storage. Not by hearing or seeing from anyone. He himself was encouraged to watch a video via YouTube. He then started cultivating this dragon fruit on 6 acres out of an 18 acre mango and other fruit orchards. We got some fruit in the first year. Good results are expected this year too”, he said.
“Moreover dragon fruit has quite a commercial demand. The market price of per kg dragon fruit is around Tk 500/600. He further said that the interesting thing about cultivating dragon fruit is that once the seedlings are planted, the fruits start coming in 15 to 16 years. There is no need to plant new saplings. We hope that dragon fruit cultivation will bring a good result and it will be possible to make a contribution to the economy of the country”, he further added.
