A fruit with more nutrients is avocado which scientific name Persea americana. Looks like guava or pear. Although the original home of Mexico, this fruit is currently being cultivated in Bangladesh. High yield and good market demand. So, Ahsanul Islam Don, a highly educated young agricultural entrepreneur, dreams of cultivating this fruit.

He has been cultivating various fruits and crops on 65 bigha land for about 18 years. He started his farming work with 1 bigha land in 2007 but currently he has 65 bigha land under cultivation of various fruit crops. 4 years ago, he cultivated four varieties of avocado fruit (Pinkerton, fuerte, bacon, zutano) on 4 bigha land in Tatvipur village of Kaliganj upazila out of interest in high value fruit crop cultivation. Almost all of the 180 trees bore fruit this year. Last year a small amount of fruit was produced which was sold at the rate of Tk 500 per kg for Tk 1 lakh.

He is expecting 14 to 15 maunds of fruit this year despite adverse weather conditions. At the age of two years the bud falls off. Fruits are usually available from the age of 3-4 years. Buds appear on the plant in March and can be harvested in August September.

Avocado trees bear fruit for 200 to 300 years. He said that the demand for this fruit is increasing day by day among conscious people due to its medicinal properties. From the cultivation of fruits in one bigha land, today he has achieved great success by cultivating various types of fruit crops in 65 bigha land. This entrepreneur named Don has seen great success. Cultivation of this unique fruit in rural towns is attracting the attention of marginalised people and ordinary farmers. He loves to cultivate various types of crops and fruits. For this he has taken various trainings and Kaliganj Agriculture Office has provided various support.

In addition to making more profit in less time, because of the beauty and people’s demand, he cultivated various kinds of fruits out of love.

Going to the different fruit gardens of Don, it is seen that the green colour of the flowers and fruits along with the raw trees. Some of the ripe fruits are dark yellow, but most have a reddish tint.

Talking about this matter, Kaliganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahbub Alam Rony said that some agricultural entrepreneurs of the upazila are cultivating this high value fruit. 3 avocado demonstration plots have been given to 3 farmers from Upazila Agriculture Office.

Avocado fruit has to wait 3 years. Hash variety is good among different varieties. Beacon, Jutan varieties of avocado are being cultivated in Bangladesh. One of the A type and B type varieties blooms in the morning and the other blooms in the afternoon the next day. It facilitates pollination. If the farmers cultivate this fruit, the agriculture office will give them all support.

Professor Chayan Bikash Bhadra, head of the department, Botany Muminunnisa Government Women’s College Mymensingh told The Daily Asia that “ Avocados is a very important fruit with immense benefits. Avocados are a source of vitamins C, E, K and B6 as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium and potassium. They also proved lutein, beta carotene and omega-3 fatty acids “

Professor Shafiqul Hasan, medicine department of the Pabna Medical College told The Daily Asia “ Avocados contain high levels of healthy, beneficial fats, which can help a person feel fuller Trusted Source between meals. Eating fat slows the breakdown of carbohydrates, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable.

Adequate avocados promote regular bowel movements, which are crucial for the excretion of toxins through the bile and stool. This helps the body maintain a healthy bacterial balance. This can reduce inflammation and aggravation of the digestive tract.”

Dr. ABM Khalekuzzaman Shipon, Skin specialist doctor of the Pabna General Hospital told The Daily Asia that “While avocado oil is best known for its uses in cooking, it can also contribute to skin care. The oil is an ingredient in many types of creams, moisturizers, and sunscreens. Avocado oil is rich in fatty acids and is excellent for moisturizing the skin.”