Pineapple growers in Naogaon and Rangamatia unions of Fulbaria upazila in Mymensingh expect bumper production and sales this season. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, farmers may earn more than Tk125.64 crore by selling Jaldubi, Calendar and Honeyqueen pineapples. The area, adjacent to Madhupur upazila, relies heavily on pineapple cultivation as a source of farmers’ income.

The upazila agriculture office recorded pineapple cultivation on 750 hectares this season: 315 hectares of Jaldubi, 425 hectares of Calendar and 10 hectares of Honeyqueen. Jaldubi cultivation rose by 65 hectares from last year. Farmers are increasingly choosing Jaldubi because it requires less time, land and production cost while offering higher returns. It produces a full crop within one year, compared with about one and a half years for Calendar and Honeyqueen varieties.

Production from 315 hectares of Jaldubi is projected at about 25.2 million fruits, valued at Tk63 crore at an average Tk25 each. Calendar pineapple sales could generate Tk61.2 crore, while Honeyqueen and other varieties may bring Tk1.44 crore. Farmer Solman Sarker said he sold Tk11 lakh worth of fruit from three acres planted with 60,000 seedlings.