He is now a big litchi farmer in the district and encourages others to grow the sweet and delicious fruit.

In 1974, RDRS Rangpur office gave him three grafted litchi saplings. He planted those in the homestead. When the small trees bore fruit, those tested exceptionally good. He sold the litchis in local markets.

The fruits were tasty and so acclaimed by people.

Encouraged, Hamid gradually extended his garden.

Now there are 166 litchi trees on his two- acres garden.

"I earned Tk 90,000 last summer," Hamid told this correspondent during a recent visit to his garden.

"On an average I earned Tk 75,000 every summer in the last five years. The crop never fails but prices vary".

He said he could not feed his family members two meals a day ten years aback due to poverty. Things began to change in 1986 when his three small litchi trees bore fruit. Soon litchis of his garden became very popular.

He set his mind to raise a litchi orchard beside his house.

"I purchased the lands between 1986 and 1996".

Besides selling the fruits, he produces grafted litchi saplings. People even from other districts come to him to buy saplings.

"Selling saplings is more profitable. I earned about Tk 1,20,000 by selling saplings so far during the current tree plantation season".

He said he always encourages others to raise litchi orchard.

"I go to buyers' house to advise them on growing plants so that their interest is not lost."

Lalmonirhat Agriculture Extension Department (AED) officials gave him initial support, he said.

DAE official Hamidur Rahman said Abdul Hamid encouraged many people in the district and outside in growing litchi plants. "We give all support to those who want to raise orchards like Abdul Hamid".

DAE Block Supervisor Afsar Ali has been assigned to take care of Abdul Hamid's orchard, said Hamidur Rahman.