Pineapple farming is growing day by day in Madhupur, Tangail. The juicy pineapple of the Madhupur tract has been recognised as a GI product about eight decades after it was first grown there. Madhupur is famous for its red-soil forest, and its pineapple has a rich history too. Thanks to its good quality, it has a reputation across the country. Farmers are expecting a good harvest again this year, and the agriculture department says it is giving them all-round support.

It is now the season for jaldugi pineapples, and the market for the fruit is busiest in June and July. Jaldugi from the Madhupur tract is going to different districts of the country. Trading starts at dawn and goes on all day. Each pineapple is now selling for Tk 15-50 depending on size. Because it is unmatched in quality, taste and aroma, demand is high.

Farmers say pineapple prices depend on the weather. Excessive rain, bad weather or natural disasters bring prices down, leaving farmers frustrated. They say fair prices would come if pineapple processing, cold storage, and pineapple-based products such as juice and jelly could be developed.

Local people said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, at a farm card distribution event in Tangail, promised to arrange pineapple processing and exports abroad. His remarks have given farmers new hope. If processing and exports happen, they say, farmers will get fair prices, the fruit's uses will diversify and it will spread worldwide.

History says that in the late 1960s a man named Verena Sangma of Aushnara union brought a few saplings of the Giant Kew variety from Meghalaya in India and planted them in the Madhupur tract. The first crop yielded well and tasted good, so he expanded to more land. Others followed his lead, and cultivation in the Madhupur tract has been rising ever since, with farmers profiting as yields grow.

On 24 September 2024, Madhupur pineapple was recognised as a GI product, to the delight of farmers and traders. The fruit is now known as the main source of Madhupur's economy, with pineapples worth crores of taka traded every year. Jalchhatra in the Madhupur tract is the largest pineapple market, along with Moter Bazar and Garo Bazar. Wholesalers come from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Sherpur, Dhaka, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Kushtia, Barishal, Gazipur and other districts, and a great deal of trading happens every day.

Local traders said Madhupur pineapples go to Dhaka and across the country. Prices are good now but not at other times of year. Processing and exports would bring higher prices. If the crop is grown organically to protect its reputation and foreign markets are captured, the tradition will return, farmers will get fair prices and Bangladesh will earn foreign currency. Processing plants and factories would raise prices and create jobs, they said.

According to the agriculture department, pineapple has been grown on 7,773 hectares in the district this season, with production of 2,87,182 tonnes. Of this, 6,943 hectares are in Madhupur, producing 2,58,132 tonnes. Jaldugi and Calendar varieties are grown most, along with MD-2, a variety imported from the Philippines.

Farmer Chhanowar Hossain told Jago News: "This time I have grown pineapple on 2 acres. My pineapples are chemical-free, so each sells for Tk 30 to 60 depending on size. Because prices are good this year, we are making a good profit. Growing pineapple costs Tk 60,000-70,000 per bigha. With good prices, it can sell for up to Tk 1,20,000."

Farmer Kabil Uddin told Jago News: "I have grown pineapple on 10 bighas. If the market is good, you can profit from pineapple farming. Each pineapple costs Tk 12-13 to produce. I hope the yield will be good this time."

Madhupur upazila agriculture officer Rakib Al Rana told Jago News: "Red-soil pineapple is in demand all over the country because of its taste and quality. With favourable weather, we hope for a good yield this year. Production could reach 35 tonnes per hectare. This year jaldugi pineapple sales could reach about Tk 500 crore. We give farmers the advice and support they need."

Madhupur upazila nirbahi officer Zubair Hossain told Jago News: "Madhupur's GI pineapple is going all over the country. If pineapple-based industries and exports can be established, farmers will benefit."

Ashek Parvez, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), told Jago News: "We have sent a proposal to the ministry on safe production, proper marketing and export of Madhupur pineapple. We are supporting pineapple farmers in various ways. Pineapple is grown to some extent all year round."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.