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Rangpur's 20 Varieties of Agricultural Produce Exported to Overseas
Annually, the Char areas of the Rangpur division, notably in districts such as Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Gaibandha, are cultivating 20 different types of crops. Fodder crops, in particular, are finding their way to various international markets including Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore, and the Middle East, effectively propelling the region’s agriculture-based economy forward. The exportation of these crops abroad is proving to be financially advantageous for fodder farmers.
However, locals argue that with government support, the lands could be diversified further, enhancing crop production and maintaining international quality standards. Grassland farmers suggest that strategic river management could unlock the potential to cultivate larger quantities of crops on pasture lands. They note that approximately 40 percent of grazing areas remain fallow, and resolving land ownership complexities could further boost production. The economic benefits stemming from crops cultivated in this region have ripple effects on the overall national economy.
Sweet pumpkins from Rangpur and Lalmonirhat pastures are finding markets in Malaysia, while sweet potatoes from Gaibandha are being exported to Japan. Farmers like Jamsher Sheikh, operating in places such as Lakshmitari Char, Gangachra, Rangpur, are actively engaged in crop production and exportation through private development organizations. Various grazing areas across different upazilas are witnessing bustling farming activities.
Modern farming techniques are increasingly adopted, with farmers like Hame Ali from Chawla Char transitioning towards more efficient agricultural practices. The fertile paddy fields of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Gaibandha yield high-quality crops, often without the need for pesticides due to the inhospitable environment for insects in pastures.
Zahurul, a farmer from Char Milon, mentions the cultivation of 20 different crops, highlighting the agricultural diversity in the region. Agricultural research indicates a significant population residing in pastures across multiple districts, with a considerable portion located in the northern region. Currently, around 600 hectares of land are under cultivation, catering not only to domestic demands but also carving a niche in the global market.
Obaidur Rahman Mondal, the Additional Director of Rangpur Agricultural Extension Directorate, underscores the substantial annual production value of crops in northern pastures, amounting to Tk 50,000 crore. In the recent financial year, exports of sweet pumpkins, potatoes, and sweet potatoes from the department’s crops totaled about 15,000 tonnes to various countries. Notably, sweet kumra from Rangpur and Lalmonirhat reaches Malaysia, while sweet potatoes from Gaibandha reach Japan.
Furthermore, initiatives such as “Making Markets Work for the Chars,” funded by the government and Switzerland, aim to foster socio-economic development in Char areas across six districts, four of which are in the Rangpur division. The long-term goal is to uplift the income levels of the inhabitants. Effective control of the Teesta River in Rangpur could potentially expand cultivation areas in the Char regions.
