A major agricultural shift is taking place on the chars of the Padma River in Chapainawabganj, where bumper production of Chinese peanuts is turning once barren sandy land into productive farmland and reshaping the local rural economy.
Once described as vast stretches of unusable sand—submerged during the monsoon and left idle in the dry season—the chars are now covered with green peanut fields.
In Raninagar char under Alatuli Union of Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila, large-scale cultivation supported by improved seed varieties, modern techniques and close supervision from agriculture authorities has delivered an impressive harvest this rabi season.
Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) said joint initiatives involving quality seeds, technical guidance and regular field monitoring have expanded peanut cultivation across around 1,100 to 1,500 bighas of char land this season.
Farmers say the transformation has been striking. Only a few years ago, the land remained completely uncultivated with no clear cropping plan. Pilot projects supported by agricultural officials and BINA experts encouraged farmers to adopt peanut cultivation, which quickly proved profitable and attracted wider participation.
Schoolteacher and farmer Mahbub Ali said the land once remained idle like a desert. “With support from BINA, we invest around Tk10,000–15,000 per bigha and earn Tk45,000–50,000 from sales. Even after costs, profit stands at Tk30,000–35,000 per bigha,” he said.
Farmer Abdur Rahman said returns of around Tk20,000 per bigha have encouraged more farmers to join, while Belal Hossain noted yields of 8–10 maunds per bigha as previously unused land is now generating income.
Sub-assistant agriculture officer Foysal Iqbal said peanut farming had never been practised in the area before, but improved seed supply and regular field support have driven rapid adoption.
BINA senior scientific officer Dr Azadul Haque said varieties such as BINA peanut-6, 8 and 10 have performed well in char conditions. “Farmers are achieving strong returns, with profits reaching Tk20,000–30,000 per bigha,” he said.
Chapainawabganj DAE Deputy Director Md Yeasin Ali said peanuts are highly suitable for sandy char soil. He added that harvesting is currently underway and farmers are satisfied with the yield.
Agricultural experts say sustained support in seed distribution, extension services and market access could turn peanuts into a key cash crop in the char region, significantly improving livelihoods and unlocking the economic potential of previously uncultivated land.
