Former banker turns coffee farmer, paves way for local production

Coffee, a popular caffeinated beverage, is in high demand worldwide, including in Bangladesh, where a significant quantity is imported annually. Recognizing the country's favorable climate for coffee cultivation, the Department of Agricultural Extension initiated efforts to expand its cultivation for better taste and aroma. This has spurred growing interest in coffee farming in hilly regions.

Former banker and agricultural entrepreneur Mohammad Yusuf has successfully ventured into coffee cultivation in hilly areas at Hathazari in Chattogram with support from the local agricultural department.

During a field visit to the plantation, it was observed that Mohammad Yusuf has planted coffee within his mixed fruit orchard with the assistance of the Hathazari Upazila Agriculture Office. Coffee plants, which thrive in shaded environments, were planted between the fruit trees, maximizing land use and profitability.

Mohammad Yusuf told The Daily Messenger that he began coffee cultivation in 2021 with the guidance and support of Upazila Agriculture Office. He planted 500 coffee saplings, and seeing positive growth, he planted another 500 in 2023. He also received organic fertilizers, pesticides, and protective nets as part of the support package.

Mohammad Al Mamun Sikdar, the Upazila Agriculture Officer, told The Daily Messenger that coffee plantations have been established on 16 hectares of land in Hathazari under the "Cashew and Coffee Research, Development, and Extension Project" by the Department of Agricultural Extension. Although farmers initially faced challenges with this new crop, the plantations were gradually becoming profitable under the department’s supervision.

"Coffee plantations have been set up in areas like Laliarhat, Fatehpur, Nangalmura, Mirzapur, and Udaliya. This year, coffee plants in Laliarhat and Udaliya have started bearing fruit. Farmers have been supplied with pulping machines for processing and marketing coffee efficiently,"he said. 

The success of coffee farming in Bangladesh has the potential to meet domestic demand, reduce imports, and open doors to the export market. Mohammad Yusuf’s innovative approach and the collaborative efforts of the agriculture department highlight coffee cultivation as a promising economic avenue for the country, the officer added.