The farming sector in Bangladesh is poised to undergo a remarkable metamorphosis. Many would like to call it 'alternative farming', because the practice doesn't follow the beaten track. It is the traditional agricultural trends that the country's majority of farmers are familiar with. They are routine works related to cultivation of indigenous crops. A vast number of people have lately started turning to farming foreign fruits and vegetables. In the beginning many, including the farmers, viewed the job as a venture fraught with risks. Like in all untested ventures, 'alternative farming' used to make one feel not sure of success. But the misgivings later proved unfounded. Battling the initial inhibitions, people, especially those in cities, began tasting the fruits, as well as the vegetables. Those did not frustrate them. The crops started gaining popularity, and created large chunks for themselves in the urban market. As a corollary, the yield of these products began increasing. Most of the farmers were rewarded with profits.
Nowadays farming of exotic fruits and vegetables has nearly become a familiar phenomenon in the country's agricultural world. Many of those who are still sticking to the traditional farming of rice, potato, mustard seeds, jute etc, are found caught in a dilemma. With poor returns from the major crops disillusioning them periodically, many have tentatively switched over to 'alternative farming'. Necessary boosts, wise advices and counselling are aplenty. Experts at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are found fairly responsive and eager to extend their help. Local offices of the department operate in almost all parts of the country. The concept of farming even Asia's regional varieties of crops appeared nearly absurd a couple of decades ago. With broccoli, lemon grass, capsicum, etc., now enjoying a dominant place in the kitchen market, vegetables and fruits originally grown in the 'West' do not seem that exotic. When on display alongside local fruits at the market, strawberries or cherries do not look any different.
Foreign fruits not long ago used to be available in the country's markets as imported products. Once it would apply to apples, pears, grapes and pomegranates. Although still imported in bulk, these fruits are also grown sufficiently in the local soil. Malta is on way to becoming a cash crop in the country's southern region. Strawberries are now a household name in the urban upscale areas. So are dragon fruit, Rambutan and Alu Bukhara. Times have started changing in the country's farming sector without much notice. Both the foreign fruits and vegetables are now within easy reach of the city residents. The price came down eventually, with increase in their local production. Malta and strawberry later occupied a significant place in the market's fruit collections. These days, other locally grown exotic fruits, as well as vegetables, continue to appear before Dhaka's consumers. They are not off-limits to the general buyers unlike in the past. The fruits include blackberries, rose apples, rock melons etc.
The cauliflower-like broccoli appeared in the market more than a decade back. Thanks to its publicity as an anti-carcinogenic, the vegetable gained wide consumer-access in a short time. Currently, foreign vegetables of varied species are available in the markets. No fruit in a country is permanently foreign. Over time, consumers' familiarity with them and continued increase in their local production makes them indigenous. Except mango and a few other fruits and vegetables, dozens of them came to Bangladesh from outside. They are now considered local. Thanks to the enthusiasm of a section of venturesome farmers, exotic fruits and vegetables are set to bring about a revolution in the country's agricultural scenario. The trend is going to add to the speed of the crop diversification programme.
