Rangpur: Farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have achieved a record production of 23,012 tonnes of groundnut across five districts during the last Rabi and the recently concluded Kharif-1 seasons this year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, market sources reported that farmers are benefiting from selling their groundnut produce to wholesalers at prices ranging from Taka 4,200 to Taka 4,400 per mound, resulting in substantial profits.
Acting Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for Rangpur region, Agriculturist Md Sirajul Islam, outlined the initial production target of 12,380 tonnes from 5,761 hectares for the last Rabi season. However, farmers cultivated groundnut on 5,679 hectares and exceeded expectations by producing 11,928 tonnes. Similarly, for the Kharif-1 season, the DAE targeted 11,470 tonnes from 5,384 hectares, yet farmers managed to cultivate on 5,253 hectares, yielding 11,084 tonnes.
Farmers have reaped significant yields by utilizing high-yielding groundnut varieties developed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). With a growing demand for groundnuts in the food industry, cultivation is expanding across mainland and pasture areas, as confirmed by Md Mamunur Rashid, a PhD Fellow in the Department of Agricultural Extension at Dinajpur Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology. Rashid noted that groundnut cultivation is becoming a profitable venture, improving the livelihoods and quality of life for farmers, including those in char areas.
Groundnut trader Md Mokhlesur Rahman from Rangpur City Market stated that farmers are selling their harvest to wholesalers at rates between Taka 4,200 and 4,400 per mound, depending on the variety and quality. These are then sold to retailers at prices ranging from Taka 4,800 to Taka 5,000 per mound. Farmers such as Anwarul Islam, Lutfar Rahman, and others from Gangachara and Kawnia upazilas have reported successful groundnut yields during the last Rabi and Kharif-1 seasons, benefiting from favorable market prices.