Azad, Lakshmipur Correspondent : Nearly 11 years ago, Azim Hossain from Raipur in Lakshmipur district went to South Korea in 2013 with hopes of changing his fortune, after spending around BDT 350,000 and learning the Korean language. He worked in a citrus (Malta) orchard for four years with a salary of BDT 60,000 per month. Although the job didn’t bring him satisfaction, he did receive comprehensive training in Malta cultivation.

Feeling the loneliness and uncertainty of life abroad, Azim decided to return to Bangladesh and start Malta farming himself. While working in the orchard abroad, he learned everything — from producing and planting saplings to maintaining the trees and marketing the fruits.

Azim and his younger brother have named their Malta business “Bhuiya Fruits Farm.”

Azim Hossain (age 46), is the eldest son of Nesar Ahmed Bhuiya from Hajimara village in the South Charabonsi Union of Raipur upazila. After returning to the country at the end of 2016, he started his own Malta orchard in early 2017. The fruit began yielding from 2020. Though he incurred losses in the first year, since 2022 the business has been profitable — with a net income of BDT 1 million (10 lakh) in 2024. This marked a major turning point in Azim’s life. Compared to his lonely life abroad, he now earns significantly more at home with his family.

Back in Bangladesh, Azim leased 8 acres of land from a neighbor in 2017 for long-term use and started the Malta orchard with renewed energy alongside his brother. Initially, they collected around 1,500 Malta saplings from Rajshahi and planted them. Though some trees died due to water shortage in the dry season, the orchard now has over 3,000 Malta trees — each producing 50 to 70 kg of fruit.

On Thursday, September 18, Azim said during an interview that they earned around BDT 1 million (10 lakh) last year from Malta sales. Malta farming has truly changed their fate. Now, neither brother needs to work for anyone else. Azim and his younger brother Moktar have become self-reliant through Malta farming, and are also encouraging others in their village to take it up.

Their produced Malta is sold wholesale in Raipur and several markets in the district center. Wholesalers pay between BDT 80 to 100 per kg depending on market demand. When sold directly from the orchard, the fruits fetch between BDT 100 to 120 per kg. In comparison, imported Malta sells for BDT 250 to 300 per kg. While imported Malta has an orange color, Azim’s Malta has a light greenish-yellow hue. In taste, there’s no difference between the local and imported fruits. Moreover, Azim’s Malta is grown without any chemical use.

Under the brand name Bhuiya Fruits Farm, the two brothers earned a net profit of BDT 10 lakh last season. The trees have started bearing fruit again, and the next full harvest is expected around mid-March. One unique characteristic of Malta cultivation is that if there’s a high yield in one season, the next might be lower, followed by another strong yield.

Every day, visitors and buyers from within and outside the district come to visit their orchard.

Entrepreneur Moktar Hossain mentioned that in the beginning, locals were doubtful about the success of Malta farming, but later everyone became happy seeing their success. The Upazila Agriculture Office has provided full support. To solve water scarcity in the dry season, the Agriculture Department installed a shallow pump in their orchard — which eliminated water issues.

He further mentioned that they have started producing saplings from the fruit-bearing trees. They are selling these saplings and grafted plants to interested farmers to encourage more Malta cultivation. To attract young people into farming, each sapling is sold for BDT 150. Several youths have already collected saplings from them and started their own orchards.

Abul Hashem, a fruit wholesaler from Raipur, said:
“Initially, people were hesitant to buy Malta from Charabonsi because the color was less yellow than imported ones. Many thought it would be sour or not tasty. We had to convince customers to buy it. Now, most buyers come asking for local Malta.”

Monir Bahaddar, a resident of Aknabazar area in South Charabonsi Union, said:
“I couldn’t believe locally produced Malta in Raipur could be this tasty. Now I feel it’s even better in taste than the imported ones.”

Noted social worker from Raipur town, Kamrul Al Mamun, said:
“The Malta farming efforts by brothers Moktar and Azim are truly commendable. If more unemployed youth take inspiration from them and start Malta cultivation, it could reduce unemployment and cut down on imported fruit costs — boosting our national economy.”

Sohel Mohammad Shamsuddin Firoz, the Agricultural Officer of Lakshmipur District, told this reporter:
“The Agriculture Department is fully supporting Azim and Moktar. Anyone else interested in Malta farming will also receive full assistance.” Currently, some trees in their orchard are fruiting, while others are flowering. The full harvest is expected by mid-March next year. He added, “We are hopeful of a good yield this time.”