There is no initiative to cultivate pineapple in the Barind region of greater Rajshahi district. But, hundreds of farmers can become self-reliant by cultivating pineapples here.
Just a couple of decades ago there grew abundant pineapple plants in and around farmers’ houses and beside the roads. Now pineapple plants can seldom be seen in the Barind region.
Pineapple is a South American fruit. It was first discovered by Europeans in 1493 in the Caribbean island that came to be known as
Guadalupe. Its generic name is Ananas Comosus, belongs to the Bromeliaceae family.
Pineapple is actually not just one fruit but a composite of many flowers which are formed by individual fruit-lets fusing together around a central core. Each fruit-let can be identified by an "eye," the rough spiny marking on the pineapple's surface.
Traders of Rajshahi usually purchase and carry Pineapple from Tangail, Mymensingh and Sylhet. Every day they import 50 to 70 truck-load of pineapples from those districts. They used to purchase a pineapple fruit for taka 20 to 30 depending upon the size and is sold at the local markets at taka 40 to 50 per fruit.
Rajshahi Agricultural Extension office sources said, pineapple traders of Rajshahi area mainly purchase pineapples from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Chittagong, Tangail and Mymensingh. People of the region are not interested in cultivating pineapple in their own lands. Many farmers occasionally plant pineapple plants around their houses but it has a great commercial potential and can be cultivated as a profitable fruit in the Barind region. Sources further mentioned, pineapple is very tasty and nutritious. It is possible to preserve pineapple packets as juice, jam, jelly and squash which are in high demand both at the local and in the foreign markets.
Agriculture Office sources in Rajshahi said, pineapple is a very juicy and nutritious fruit. Raw pineapple is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C. It also contains Carotene, Phosphorus and Calcium. It helps to increase the digestive power of the human body. Pineapple is also very helpful for growing children.
