A quiet village in Chapainawabganj has become the centre of local curiosity and inspiration after an agricultural entrepreneur successfully cultivated Chinese oranges, an achievement many had believed impossible in Bangladesh.

Forty-one-year-old farmer Sayem Ali has drawn visitors from across the area, all eager to witness the clusters of bright, ripe oranges hanging heavily from the trees in his orchard.

The scene has created both excitement and a stir among villagers, who until now had only seen Chinese oranges in markets as imported fruit.

Sayem, who previously relied on mango farming, said he struggled to maintain a steady income from the crop.

His interest in Chinese oranges began when he noticed the fruit increasingly available in local markets.

Intrigued, he approached the local agriculture office for advice. With guidance and technical support from agricultural officials, he brought three bighas of land under cultivation in Baharam of Sadar Upazila in 2022.

The initial investment stood at Tk 1.5 lakh. Now, just a few years later, the orchard is teeming with fruit.

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“I managed to recover my costs and even made a small profit from my first harvest in 2024,” Sayem said, adding, “But this year the trees are full. I’m selling the oranges at Tk 100 per kilogram, and after expenses, I expect to earn Tk 6 to 7 lakh.”

Farm worker Anarul Islam, who has cared for the orchard since its early days, echoed the optimism.

“The harvest has been excellent. These oranges taste very good, and the demand is high. We don’t even need to take them to the market, as buyers come directly to the orchard,” he said.

Sayem’s success has quickly inspired others. Curious farmers and residents have been flocking to Baharam, many considering whether they too should switch to or start cultivating Chinese oranges.

Local resident Abdul Malek admitted he had never imagined the fruit could grow locally.

“We always thought Chinese oranges came from abroad. After visiting the orchard and speaking with the owner, I’m convinced it’s profitable. I plan to start cultivating them too, with support from the agriculture office,” he said.

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Another visitor, Abdul Gaffar from Ramchandrapur, was impressed by the quality. “I’ve eaten imported oranges for years. Now we have them grown just near my home—and they’re delicious,” he said. 

Similar enthusiasm was echoed by villagers Taifur and Karim, both of whom said the success story had motivated them to consider starting orchards of their own.

According to Dr Yasin Ali, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chapainawabganj, local conditions are well suited for the fruit.

“The soil and climate here are favourable for cultivating Chinese oranges. Sayem Ali is one of our successful farmers, and we are providing him with all necessary support. New entrepreneurs will also receive full technical assistance,” he said.

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What began as an experiment has now become a model of rural innovation, locals said.

They said Sayem’s flourishing orchard has not only transformed his own livelihood but has also opened up new possibilities for agricultural diversification in Chapainawabganj, proving that with the right guidance, even unexpected crops can thrive.