The banana growers at different upazilas in the district are overjoyed, as they are making handsome profit by cultivating the crop on their lands in recent years.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), different varieties of banana are being grown abundantly in the district including Malbhog, Sagor, Sabri, and Champa.
Saiful miah (50), a farmer of Boiriganj village under Mithapukur upazila said: “I cultivated banana on my land this season instead of paddy as the lower price of paddy disheartened me last season. I earned about Tk 60,000 (USD 770) net profit by growing the crop on one acre of land whereas I could earn only Tk 12,000 (USD 155) to Tk 14,000 (USD 180) profit if I cultivated paddy on the same land”.
Witnessing his success many other farmers of his village and adjacent villages have shown their interest in its cultivation on their homesteads and farmlands, he added.
Hasanur, another farmer of Projapara village under Pirganj upazila said, he cultivated banana on one bigha of land this season with the hope to earn a good profit. He has already earned Tk 25,000 as profit. He is quite satisfied with the profit he has achieved so far, he further said.
DAE official sources said cultivation of banana has increased in recent times in the region due to its good profit and lower production cost compared to other crops. The high lands of many areas in the district are also suitable for banana cultivation. A number of farmers at different areas under the district have cultivated the crop this season instead of other crops. Its cultivation is gaining ground in Rangpur and its adjacent areas in recent years, sources added.
Source: The Financial Express