Two agri-entrepreneurs in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram have achieved notable success cultivating a foreign variety of red grapes, drawing widespread attention and inspiring local farmers to explore new possibilities.

Ruhul Amin and Hashem Ali have developed a vineyard of the ‘Bainur’ variety on about two bighas of land in Ajoyatari area near Gongarhat Bazar after nearly a decade of effort.

The orchard now hosts around 460 grapevines.

They said they began their journey in 2017 with just 40 saplings.

While the initial yields were experimental, they started commercial sales in 2022, selling about five maunds of grapes from 50 plants that year.

Production has since increased steadily — reaching 10 maunds in 2023, 15 maunds in 2024, and 20 maunds in 2025.

They are optimistic about a significant jump this year, expecting to harvest 40 to 45 maunds of grapes from 60 plants in 2026, with an estimated market value of around Tk 8.5 lakh.

A visit to the orchard found not only Bainur grapes but also several other foreign varieties along with over 300 fruit trees of both local and exotic species.

The orchard has become a centre of attraction for visitors from different areas, many of whom are collecting saplings to start grape cultivation.

Ramprasad, a teacher from Magura, said he was inspired after learning about the vineyard on social media.

“I later visited the orchard and collected 20 saplings. My plants have also started bearing fruit,” he said.

Local residents Aminul Islam and Bishnu Chandra Roy said the initiative initially faced scepticism, but the entrepreneurs  perseverance and hard work have turned it into a success story.

Hashem Ali said they sourced improved saplings from Ukraine and Russia to begin cultivation.

Alongside grape sales income from sapling sales has grown significantly, reaching nearly Tk 8 lakh annually.

“We expect a profit of around Tk 8.5 lakh this year,” he said.

Ruhul Amin, also a bank official, said around Tk 12–13 lakh has been invested so far to establish the orchard.

“We have already earned about Tk 6 lakh from selling grapes and saplings. Farmers from different districts are now visiting and showing interest in commercial grape farming,” he added.

Phulbari Upazila Agriculture Officer Nilufa Yasmin said the entrepreneurs have set an example by successfully cultivating grapes in sandy-loam soil.

“The agriculture department is providing them with all necessary support,” she said.