A 22-year-old college student in Tangail is drawing attention for turning strawberry farming into a local success story, and his work is now inspiring many young people in the area. Abdullah Al Mamun from Sholakura village under Ghatail upazila has grown the American Festival variety of strawberry with strong results, showing that the crop can do well outside the northern districts where it was once more common. His garden now has around 10,000 saplings, and the bright red fruit has become a popular sight for visitors who come every day to see the plants, watch the harvest, and learn from his experience. Mamun first tried the idea beside his home with only 100 saplings as an experiment. After getting a good harvest, he moved into commercial farming and slowly expanded the plot. Each plant gives a fair amount of fruit, and the berries are being sold at a good price, which has made the work both practical and profitable. He hopes to earn around Tk 10 lakh after covering costs, and he also expects income from saplings. His success has changed the view of many local people who once saw strawberry farming as something only suited to colder northern areas. Now farmers and students in the region are taking a closer look at the crop and thinking about how they can start on a small scale. Some visitors said they were impressed by the taste, color, and yield of the fruit, while others said they hoped to grow strawberries on rooftops or in future gardens for family use. Mamun’s family was not fully sure at first, but they are now supportive of his effort, and he plans to expand the farm further. Local agriculture officials say strawberry is a highly nutritious fruit with strong market appeal, and they note that the best planting time is from September to October, while harvesting can continue until April. The Agriculture Department has also said it will support entrepreneurs who want to try strawberry cultivation. Mamun’s story shows how a young farmer, with patience and care, can bring a new crop into a new area and create fresh hope for others. It is a simple example of modern farming, where one small idea can grow into a business, a learning space, and a source of inspiration for an entire community. His work also shows that agriculture can be attractive to educated young people when the crop has clear demand, good prices, and room to grow. For many local families, that makes strawberry farming look like a useful and hopeful option for the future.
