A young farmer in Singair upazila of Manikganj has found remarkable success by producing vegetable seedlings in plastic trays inside a polyshed house. Inspired during the COVID-19 lockdown by tutorials on YouTube, the young entrepreneur has turned his innovative idea into a thriving business, creating employment for several local workers.
The entrepreneur, Bikash Chandra Sarker, hails from Panishail village in Singair. During the pandemic, he learned the technique of producing seedlings in plastic trays under a controlled environment. He initially experimented near his home by producing around 10,000 vegetable seedlings.
Although seedling production continues year-round, demand peaks during the winter season. Currently, Bikash produces around 1.1 million vegetable seedlings— including broccoli, cauliflower, and tomato— across three polysheds on one bigha of land. The seedlings are ready for sale within 25 to 30 days.
“There are three sheds here, and in each season we produce 10 to 12 lakh seedlings,” said Bikash. “Ten people work with me, and the annual profit amounts to about four to five lakh taka.”
In addition to his family members, eight to ten local workers are employed in the project. Due to the high quality of the seedlings, farmers from surrounding areas such as Savar, Dohar, and Keraniganj regularly purchase from him.
Buyers expressed satisfaction, saying the seedlings from Bikash’s farm are healthy and reliable, which reduces both risk and transportation costs.
Producing seedlings in plastic trays inside a polyshed involves relatively low costs and minimal risks compared to open-field cultivation. The initiative has also drawn the attention and support of the local agriculture office.
Singair Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Habibul Bashar Chowdhury said, “In open fields, seedlings often get damaged by storms and rain, but here they remain protected. We helped him set up one of the sheds, which encouraged him to continue his work.”
With growing demand for high-quality seedlings, Bikash expects to earn at least six lakh taka this winter season from his polyshed seedling farm.
