Md. Golam Samdani
Smiles are being marked on the faces of Pineapple farmers in Madhupur Upazila of Tangail district as the product starts exporting this year. Bumper harvest and good prices attributed. Export starts in small scale and foreign buyers felt keen interest in import.
Madhupur is the largest pineapple growing area in the country. In the past for lack of proper care, marketing, preservation and processing facilities the farmers were deprived of fair price of the hard earned produce. But this year farmers are getting much profit.
The traditional, historic and famous pineapple of red soil of Madhupur plain land forest received the prestigious recognition of Geographical Identification GI goods. The recognition brought a wave of enthusiasm among the locals, traders as it brought a fame and possibility of export in earning forex.
From a source in DAE it is learned that 6636 hectares of land have brought under farming this year. 4375 hactres of land have brought under Gaintsque and calendar, 2245 hectares under Honey Queen, 18 acres under MB-2 variety. Under the Department of Agriculture Extension 12 acres of land have brought under Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) using organic fertilizer in consideration of its need of soil and water in Madhupur.
Pineapple farming was started at 1942 by the Garo tribe of Madhupur jungle. It grained ground and extended to the neighbouring areas of Fulbaria, Muktagacha under Mymensingh district, Ghatail under Tangail district and part of Jamalpur district. MV-2 variety of pineapple saplings have been brought from Philippines three years before which gained ground as its soil and climate is suitable with those of Madhupur. Harvesting has been started since May and it will be continued up to September. Gaintsque variety is largely cultivated here. It is large in size, more succulent and appetising. Jaldugi is also cultivated which is harvested earlier. About 1.5 lakh people including growers, whole sellers, retailers, transport workers, hotel owners, farm labourers’ livelihood depends on the vitamin C and Carotin enriched cash crop of the area.
From a source in Madhupur Upazila Agriculture Office it is learned that pineapple production will exceed two lakh 65 thousand 200 mts worth taka about 900 crore.
Ali Akbor a pineapple farmer of Idilpur told the correspondent that cost of one unit of pineapple production is about taka 18-20 including laborur and transport cost. Earlier they had to sell at taka 15- 18. Now one small size of pineapple is being sold at taka 20, that of medium is taka 25-30 and large size pineapple is being sold at taka 60 per unit. The farmers are happy of the price of their hard earned produce. Akbor Ali, a farmer told that maximum pineapple has been sold away. So very few farmers will be able to harvest the good profit.
There is a bright prospect of earning substantial foreign currency by exporting the processed and raw pineapple. Tasmiri Noor Ratri acting AO of Madhupur Upazila told the newsmen that 6000 units of pineapple have been exported to ME countries ongoing season. Process under way to export to some other countries. She added that there is instinct among the farmers and traders using over dodge insecticide and chemicals. DAE encourages producing safe pineapple farming. Sanower Hossain, a national award recipient farmer said that he produced organic pineapple under 13 acres. Process is underway to export to Germany. A pakistati team led by Mohammad Akid Mehedi visited some pineapple field in Madhupur Upazila recently. He expressed satisfaction with farming method, its taste and standard. Export is under process to China.
There is good demand of juice, jam, jelly in home and abroad. For absence of processing industry, government’s initiative, preservation facilities, marketing in abroad, the growers are facing setback. It needs care. About 10 percent of pineapple are being damaged every year during the rainy season. The farmers can not preserve pineapple in any specialized storage.
From sources it is learned that foreign buyers got keen interest in importing organic pineapple. But they failed as the farmers use harmful pesticide and chemicals. Sanower Hossain told the correspondent that organic farming is demand of hour. Many small farmers like Sanower are farming organic pineapple which are being sold at good prices. He said that 53 farmers organised farming organic pineapples. They are harvesting till now. Because organic pineapples sustain long time. Some NGOs are extending help in supplying organic fertilizer and bio-pesticide. Prospect of exporting pineapple is being brighter.
Ashaque Parvez, DD of DAE Tangail said the newsmen that huge pineapples are produced in Madhupur. The farmers are being imparted training and technology on safe pineapple farming. Pineapples are being exported in small scale. It will be exported in large scale soon. It will bring benefit to both farmers and the country.
