Peanut farmers in Panchagarh are passing through a busy season, with many hopeful for good market prices. As they engage in cultivation across all five upazilas of the district, several farmers have expanded their peanut farming efforts this year, anticipating significant profits.
Panchagarh is a key supplier of the country's peanut demand, producing the majority of the nation's peanuts. The harvested peanuts are exported to various districts across the country, and farmers are optimistic about a bountiful yield, particularly if the weather remains favourable.
The low cost of production and high returns have prompted more farmers to shift towards peanut farming instead of other crops. According to the Agriculture Department, while peanuts are cultivated in all the upazilas of Panchagarh, the most significant cultivation has occurred in the Debiganj upazila, located near the Korotoa River. Farmers estimate the cost of cultivation per bigha to be between Tk8,000-10,000. With favourable weather conditions, they expect a yield of 12 to 15 munds (local measurement) of peanuts per bigha. Last year, peanuts were sold for Tk4,000- 4,500 per mund, and farmers are hopeful for similar prices this year. After covering the cultivation costs, they expect a profit of Tk30,000-40,000 per bigha.
Peanut farming has significantly improved the livelihoods of many farmers. Parimal Kumar, a prominent farmer from the Marea area of Boda upazila, shared that he has been cultivating peanuts for several years. Thanks to the profits from peanut farming, he was able to build a concrete house—an achievement he says would not have been possible through rice farming alone. This year, he expanded his peanut cultivation by half a bigha. Similarly, Mayna Begum, another farmer from the same area, explained that for the past two years, her family has been renting land to cultivate peanuts. This venture has proven highly profitable, as the entire family can contribute to the farming process.
In addition to benefiting farmers, peanut cultivation has created employment opportunities for local labourers, particularly women. Female agricultural workers have been able to earn additional income by working in the peanut fields, improving their financial stability.
Peanut cultivation in Panchagarh takes place in two seasons: the Rabi season and the Kharif season. The Kharif season produces peanuts that are used as seeds for the following crop cycle.
Abdul Matin, deputy director of the Agricultural Extension Department, reported that peanut farming this year has surpassed the initial target area. While the original goal was to cultivate peanuts on 8,000 hectares, farmers have now cultivated peanuts on nearly 9,500 hectares. This increase in cultivation is boosting agricultural production and contributing to the economic development of farming families, especially benefiting female workers in the region.
Source: Daily Sun
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
