Bumper yield of pumpkins in Netrokona haor delights farmers

A bumper harvest of sweet pumpkins in the haor areas of the district has brought cheer to farmers this season, with rising demand across the country driving profitable market prices.

Vast stretches of green fields in Madan, Mohanganj and Khaliajuri upazilas-surrounded by expansive haors-are now bustling with harvesting activities. Thanks to favorable weather conditions and the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, production has exceeded targets, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

The fertile soil of the haor region, often described as nature's blessing, has once again demonstrated its immense agricultural potential. Farmers say the land has yielded abundantly this year, transforming the once-fallow tracts into thriving vegetable hubs.

A recent visit to the Naotana area under Mendipur union in Khaliajuri upazila revealed a vibrant wholesale trading scene. The area has effectively turned into a major vegetable marketing center in the heart of the haor.

Wholesale traders from Bogura, Kushtia, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Kishoreganj and Mymensingh are purchasing sweet pumpkins directly from farmers' fields and transporting them by truck to markets nationwide.

A trader from Mithapukur in Rangpur told BSS that Netrokona's pumpkins reach markets in North Bengal earlier than local produce, ensuring strong demand. He is purchasing pumpkins at Taka 25 per kilogram, with transportation and labor costs bringing the total to Taka 28 per kilogram upon delivery.

Similarly, Ujjwal Bhuiyan, a trader from Tarail in Kishoreganj, said he is buying pumpkins directly from farmers at Taka 22 to Taka 25 per kilogram, depending on size. On average, one ton of pumpkins is produced per katha (10 percent) of land and sold for around Taka 16,000. After deducting expenses, farmers are earning profits of Taka 5,000 to Taka 6,000 per katha.

Pumpkins harvested from Netrokona are being supplied to multiple districts, including Jhenaidah, Bogura, Kushtia, Natore and Pabna.

Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, a successful farmer from Jagannathpur Paschim Para in Khaliajuri, said he cultivated sweet pumpkins on 100 kathas of land this season and has already sold 15 tons. He expressed satisfaction with the significantly higher prices compared to last year.

Iqbal urged the government to explore opportunities for exporting sweet pumpkins grown in the haor region, noting their quality and increasing domestic demand.

According to Rakibul Hasan, Additional Deputy Director (Horticulture) of the District Agricultural Extension Department, sweet pumpkin cultivation has expanded in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, pumpkins were cultivated on 729 hectares of land in the district. That figure has increased to 736 hectares in the current fiscal year, with 370 hectares located in the haor areas alone.

He said that the government awarded the 'Janprashasan Padak' in the 2021-22 season in recognition of the integrated initiative to cultivate sweet pumpkins on fallow land in Khaliajuri. Since then, the crop has gained widespread popularity among farmers.

The Agriculture Department has been supporting growers by distributing quality seeds and promoting modern technologies such as pheromone traps and yellow traps, alongside providing regular technical guidance to ensure safe and sustainable production.

Officials believe that the combination of high yields and favorable market prices is having a positive ripple effect on the district's economy. As harvesting continues across the haor belt, farmers remain hopeful that sustained demand and policy support could further boost production.