Pineapple cultivation is gaining traction in Naogaon's Barind region, providing a new economic avenue for farmers. By using the vacant spaces between mango trees to grow pineapples as an intercrop, farmers are significantly boosting their income and land utilization. The loamy and sandy-loamy soil in Porsha, Sapahar, and Patnitala upazilas is ideal for pineapple farming, which requires relatively low investment and offers good returns.
Sweet Success with Minimal Input
Farmers in the region are primarily cultivating MB-2 and Honey Queen varieties of pineapple. The cultivation period spans 15 to 18 months from planting saplings to harvesting. Young agricultural entrepreneur Rayhan Siddiq of Porsha has emerged as a pioneer in this field, achieving commercial success through pineapple farming. Rayhan planted 3,000 pineapple saplings in 2024, which required minimal maintenance and yielded significant returns.
Rayhan reported selling pineapples worth Taka 10,000 and anticipates selling more fruits worth around Taka 100,000. He highlighted the low cost and high-quality produce, noting, "The biggest advantage is that mangoes and pineapples can be cultivated on the same land. The cost is very low, and the fruits are extremely tasty."
Expanding Horizons and Local Markets
The success of pineapple farming in Naogaon has prompted other farmers to consider adopting the practice. Visitors like Abdus Sobhan and Tasnim have been impressed by the sweetness and flavor of the locally grown pineapples, encouraging them to start their own cultivation. Fruit trader Yasin Ali noted the good production and encouraging market prices, further validating the economic potential of this intercrop farming.
Porsha Upazila Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Samirul Islam praised Rayhan's initiative as an excellent example of intercrop farming. He suggested that expanding pineapple cultivation alongside mango orchards could open new economic opportunities for the region. The agriculture department is providing support to encourage more farmers to adopt this practice.
