International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Dr. Amir Mohammad Nasrullah, Dr. Akond Md. Rafiqul Islam, Md. Rafizul Islam Mondal and SSRM Mahe Alam Sorwar

abstract
In Bangladesh one third of the local fruits are available round the year, while two thirds are available for three to four months only. So, bridging this gap is very important for us. In order to this Bangladesh's agriculture is transitioning to commercial farming, aiming to make it more profitable and improve farmers' living standards. However, High Value Fruits and Crops (HVFC) are central to this transformation, offering opportunities for educated youths to engage in agriculture and build careers. Researchers identified that HVFC offer higher returns on investment compared to staple crops, making them crucial for increasing farmers' income and boosting regional economies. Moreover, their production, processing, and marketing require skilled labor, creating significant employment opportunities in rural areas and helping to alleviate poverty. Currently in Bangladesh, many HVFCs are produced using sustainable practices like organic farming, which promote environment friendly agriculture, conserve biodiversity, and reduce the carbon footprint. The production of HVFCs has increased, with crops like dragon fruits, oranges, strawberries, and avocados being cultivated, along with vegetables and spices. Young Powers in Social Action (YPSA) has been working since 2022 to support HVFC production, extension, and marketing in Sitakunda and Mirsarai areas of Chattogram, targeting the ultra-poor, transitional poor, and enterprising poor people as beneficiaries. In this backdrop, this study aims to evaluate the impact of YPSA's efforts on entrepreneurship development through the promotion of HVFCs in the region. The study finds that HVFC is gaining popularity among local farmers as it offers higher return on their investment than other crops. Moreover, it helps create employment opportunities to the local unemployed through various income generating activities and entrepreneurship development activities. But still the entrepreneurs face some challenges which must be addressed in an appropriate way. Government as well as others involved in HVFC extension and marketing should focus these issues urgently.