(BSS) - A young agricultural entrepreneur from Dighinala upazila in Khagrachhari has achieved remarkable success by cultivating Vietnamese longan, a high-value fruit similar to litchi, in Bangladesh`s hill region.

Priyadarshi Chakma told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that he began cultivating the fruit five years ago on an experimental basis after obtaining 12 saplings from a friend in Dinajpur.

Inspired by information he found on social media and YouTube, he decided to test whether the Vietnamese variety could thrive in the hilly terrain. His experiment proved successful.

According to Priyadarshi, his orchard has produced an abundant harvest this year, with longan selling locally for Taka 500 to Taka 600 per kilogram. In the country`s plains, the fruit is reportedly sold for Taka 1,000 to Taka 1,200 per kilogram. He said the fruit enjoys strong consumer demand and commands a premium price in local markets.

Although longan is a foreign fruit, it closely resembles Bangladesh`s native litchi in appearance and taste. However, it contains more juicy flesh and a much smaller seed. Priyadarshi said that the variety bears fruit twice a year, making it an attractive commercial crop.

"The idea of cultivating longan came after watching videos on social media and YouTube," he said. "I contacted a friend in Dinajpur and brought 12 saplings to the hills five years ago. After planting them experimentally, I found that they adapted very well to the local environment."

He believes the soil and climate of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are highly suitable for longan cultivation and plans to expand production commercially in the coming years.

Priyadarshi also said that the trees have been grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and their success has generated considerable interest among local farmers. Encouraged by the results, he intends to increase the size of his orchard on his own land.

Local journalist Sohel Rana told BSS that Priyadarshi`s success has sparked widespread curiosity among farmers in Khagrachhari, while the Department of Agricultural Extension has also shown interest in supporting the initiative.

"We have visited the orchard and observed the cultivation firsthand," Rana said. "The trees have produced an excellent yield. If farmers across the three hill districts adopt this high-value crop, it could significantly improve their livelihoods and establish the region as a promising production hub for Vietnamese longan."

Dighinala Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Shahadat Hossain described Vietnamese longan as a litchi-family fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it beneficial for human health.

"There is strong market demand and the fruit fetches a high price," he said. "We are aware of Priyadarshi Chakma`s successful cultivation and the Agriculture Department will provide him with the necessary technical advice and support."

He added that alongside other agricultural crops, the department will encourage local farmers to consider cultivating longan as a high-value fruit. If its commercial potential is fully utilized, the hill districts could emerge as a major center for longan production in Bangladesh.

Agricultural experts believe that the successful cultivation of Vietnamese longan demonstrates the untapped potential of the Chittagong Hill Tracts for introducing profitable foreign fruit varieties. With proper technical support, market access and farmer participation, the region could become one of Bangladesh`s leading areas for commercial longan cultivation.