Pineapple cultivation is gaining momentum in Naogaon’s Barind region as farmers are using vacant spaces between mango trees to grow the sweet fruit as an intercrop, creating new economic opportunities for the area.
The soil and climatic conditions of Porsha, Sapahar, and Patnitala upazilas are considered highly suitable for pineapple farming, with the region’s land consisting mainly of loamy and sandy-loamy soil. As pineapple cultivation requires relatively low investment while offering good returns, it is adding a new dimension to the rural economy.
Farmers are now cultivating MB-2 and Honey Queen varieties of pineapple in the unused spaces of mango orchards. It takes around 15 to 18 months from planting saplings to harvesting fruit. By producing two crops from the same land, farmers are improving land utilisation and increasing their income.
Due to favourable yields, pineapples grown in Naogaon are meeting local demand and are also being supplied to different parts of the country. Once established, pineapple plants can continue producing fruit for several years with minimal additional costs. The pineapples produced in the region are gaining popularity for their sweetness and distinctive taste.
Young agricultural entrepreneur Rayhan Siddiq of Porsha has become the first person in Naogaon to achieve commercial success through pineapple cultivation.
Rayhan said he planted 3,000 pineapple saplings collected from the Badalgachhi Horticulture Centre in 2024 during the rainy season. “After planting, I did not need to provide any irrigation. I only removed weeds and applied pesticides a few times. The pineapples have grown with very little expense,” he said.
He has already sold pineapples worth Tk 10,000 and expects to sell additional fruits worth around Tk 100,000. “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,” he added.
Rayhan said he plans to expand pineapple cultivation on a larger scale. “We usually bring pineapples from Tangail and other districts to meet local demand. If pineapple farming expands in this mango-growing region, we will be able to fulfil the district’s demand with locally produced fruits,” he said.
Young agricultural entrepreneur Abdus Sobhan from Manda visited Rayhan’s farm after hearing that pineapple cultivation had started in Naogaon for the first time. “Rayhan Bhai offered me pineapple from his farm. It was very sweet. I have decided to start pineapple cultivation as well,” he said.
Another visitor, Tasnim, said she had never seen pineapple cultivation in Naogaon before. “I came after hearing about it and tasted the fruit. The flavour was amazing. I never imagined pineapples from this region could be so sweet,” she said.
Fruit trader Yasin Ali said they conduct fruit trading throughout the year. “Rayhan Bhai is the first person to cultivate pineapples commercially in this district. We came to buy his fruits. The production is good, and the market price is also encouraging,” he said.
Motahar Mia, a worker who has long been employed at Rayhan’s mango orchard, now also takes care of the pineapple plants. He believes Naogaon’s soil is highly suitable for pineapple cultivation.
Porsha Upazila Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Samirul Islam said Rayhan’s pineapple cultivation in a mango orchard is an excellent example of intercrop farming. “He is the first farmer in the district to commercially cultivate pineapples between mango trees. The growth of the plants and the quality of the fruits are very good,” he said.
Samirul added that expanding pineapple cultivation alongside mango orchards could create a new economic opportunity for the region. “The first harvest comes after 15 to 18 months. After that, the plants bear fruit every year without requiring replanting. Each plant produces four to five crowns, which can be sold as saplings or planted elsewhere,” he said.
He also said the agriculture department is providing overall support to Rayhan to encourage pineapple cultivation across the district.
