DUBAI, UAE, Oct 1, (Agencies): In Cumilla, Shamsul Alam, a dedicated nursery owner, embarked on an ambitious endeavor to cultivate mango, jackfruit, and fig trees in the arid Gulf region, thousands of miles away. His hard work and determination have borne fruit, inspiring fellow Bangladeshi farmers, as reported by Arab News.

Shamsul's journey began with exporting fruit saplings to Qatar in 2019 and later expanding to the UAE and Oman. He proudly shared, "Since 2019, I have exported around 150,000 saplings from Bangladesh to the UAE, Qatar, and Oman. These plants are thriving, bringing the flavors of Bangladeshi fruits to the Arab world, where Bangladeshi fruit orchards are now flourishing."

His timing was impeccable, coinciding with the growing popularity of afforestation programs in Gulf nations. This year, Shamsul is concentrating on mango trees and has successfully cultivated various mango varieties at his Green World Nursery. He revealed, "After Dubai placed an order for Bangladeshi mango saplings, I prepared 400 mango saplings featuring seven different Bangladeshi mango varieties, which are now ready for shipment in October."

This venture holds tremendous potential for Bangladeshi growers. While it costs them approximately $2 to nurture a tree sapling in Bangladeshi nurseries, they can sell these saplings in the Gulf market at prices nearly four times higher.

Dr. Reza Khan, principal wildlife specialist at Dubai Safari Park, ordered saplings from Shamsul for an experimental initiative. He believes that with proper care, mangoes can be successfully cultivated in the Dubai desert, much like rice.

Qatar has traditionally been the largest export destination for Bangladeshi fruit saplings, but the UAE is quickly catching up. KamrulHasan, commercial counsellor at the Bangladesh Consulate General in Dubai, sees the UAE becoming a hub for Bangladeshi sapling trade, as exporters have secured necessary certificates and clearances.

While Bangladesh faces logistical challenges compared to its competitors, such as Pakistan and India, due to longer shipping times, entrepreneurs like Mohammad Khadim are undeterred. He aims to expand his sapling export business to Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Middle East Green Initiative's goal of planting 50 billion trees across the region.

In the evolving landscape of Gulf afforestation, Bangladeshi farmers are carving a niche for themselves, capitalizing on their expertise and the growing demand for their saplings in the region.