Farmers in the vast char areas along the Padma River in Shibchar Upazila of Madaripur are enjoying a bumper peanut harvest this season, raising hopes of improved incomes after last year’s weather-related losses.
With harvesting nearly complete, farmers are busy lifting peanuts from the fields, separating them from the plants, drying them in the sun and preparing them for storage. Encouraged by the strong yield, growers are now hoping to receive fair prices for their produce.
The fertile sandy and alluvial soils of the Padma chars are considered highly suitable for peanut cultivation. Farmers said good yields can be achieved without using chemical fertilisers or pesticides, relying instead on regular weeding and proper crop management. Favourable weather throughout the growing season has contributed to this year’s strong production.
Last year, excessive rainfall and early monsoon flooding caused extensive damage to peanut fields. Farmers said this year’s harvest is expected to help recover those losses.
Hamid Kha, a farmer from Char Janajat, said peanuts grown on the Padma chars are superior in taste, size and quality compared with those produced elsewhere. He said harvesting is almost complete, with farmers and agricultural workers now busy separating the peanuts from the roots and drying them in the fields.
Another peanut grower, Amin Uddin, said many farmers had already begun selling their produce early as market prices remain favourable. He added that peanuts grown in the char areas are in high demand in local markets as well as neighbouring areas.
According to the Shibchar Department of Agricultural Extension, peanuts have been cultivated on about 690 hectares of land in the upazila during the current financial year. Of that, around 120 hectares are located in Char Janajat Union alone.
The office said production has increased compared with last year, with average yields reaching about 2,300 kilograms per hectare. Peanuts are currently selling for between Tk6,000 and Tk8,000 per maund.
Besides Char Janajat, peanut cultivation is widespread in Madbarer Char, Kathalbari, Sannasir Char, Bandar Khola, Baheratala North, Baheratala South, Nilkhi, Shiruail and several other unions of the upazila.
Shibchar Upazila Agriculture Officer Alimuzzaman said peanut cultivation has been expanding every year because of farmers’ growing interest, favourable weather conditions and the suitability of the char soil for the crop.
