Tangail: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is optimistic about achieving a trade turnover of approximately Tk 200 crore from the pineapple industry this season, following a bumper yield in Tangail. Pineapple, a traditional geographical indication (GI) product, has emerged as a lucrative agricultural venture in the region, with plans underway to establish a factory dedicated to producing various food products from pineapples for both local consumption and export.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tangail's Madhupur Upazila, renowned for its sweet and juicy pineapples, has witnessed a significant yield this year due to favorable weather and meticulous agricultural practices. The local markets, including Jalchhatra Agricultural Market, Garobazar, Idilpur, Ashrabazar, and Moter Bazar, are bustling with activity as pineapples worth about Tk 3 crore are transported daily to various districts across the country via 25 to 30 trucks.
Farmers have expressed their satisfaction with the current market prices, as the high demand for pineapples amid the bumper yield has translated into favorable earnings. Pineapple growers and traders report that quality pineapples are being sold for Tk 30-40 each, ensuring a profitable season for those involved in the trade.
The Madhupur Upazila Agriculture Office reports that pineapples have been cultivated across approximately 7,794 hectares of land this season, resulting in the production of around 2.79 lakh metric tons. The distribution of these pineapples, approximately 10 lakh pieces daily, is facilitated through key wholesale markets in the region.
In an interview with BSS, Uzzal, a local pineapple trader, highlighted the ongoing market activity, noting that pineapples have been available since June and will continue to be sold until mid-September. Farmers from various areas are consistently bringing their produce to Garo Bazar and Assra Bazar, where wholesalers purchase them in bulk for distribution across the country.
Madhupur Upazila Agriculture Officer Rakib Al Rana emphasized the high demand for pineapples in the market, attributing the improved yields to the favorable weather conditions. He noted that farmers are experiencing financial benefits from the enhanced prices for their produce.
The tradition of pineapple cultivation in Bangladesh traces back to 1942 when Dayamoyi Sangma, a craftsman from the Garo community in Idilpur village, Madhupur, initiated the practice. He introduced 750 seedlings from Meghalaya, India, laying the foundation for a thriving agricultural sector that has since become intertwined with the region's historical and cultural legacy.