Peanut production in the Rangpur region has reached a record high this season, with total output valued at around Tk200 crore, driven by strong yields and higher market prices.
Farmers are selling peanuts at Tk6,400 to Tk6,600 per maund, with an average price of about Tk6,500, nearly doubling from Tk3,500 to Tk4,000 a year earlier.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Rangpur regional office, a target was set to produce 12,245 tonnes of peanuts from 5,736 hectares across five districts — Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Nilphamari — in the 2025–26 Rabi season.
Actual production reached 12,221 tonnes, slightly below the target, while the cultivated area expanded to 5,748 hectares, exceeding the plan by 12 hectares.
The produce is expected to generate Tk198 crore 59 lakh 12 thousand 500 in sales at the farm level, marking the highest earnings from peanuts in the region to date, the DAE said.
Farmers say favourable weather, improved varieties and strong demand have contributed to both higher output and better prices.
Gojoghonta Union char farmer Akash Hossain from Gangachara in Rangpur said yields ranged between 28 and 32 maunds per acre this season.
Production costs stood between Tk40,000 and Tk50,000 per acre, allowing him to earn a net profit of around Tk1 lakh per acre, he said.
Belka Union farmer Zahurul Islam Ferdous from Sundarganj in Gaibandha said he was selling peanuts to wholesalers at an average of Tk6,500 per maund.
“Prices were much lower last year, but this season profits are strong,” he said.
DAE Rangpur Deputy Director Md Sirazul Islam said farmers cultivated peanuts on more land than initially planned.
“After harvest, average yield stood at 2.13 tonnes per hectare, resulting in total production of 12,221 tonnes,” he said.
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Department of Agricultural Extension Chairman Prof Md Sadekur Rahman said the spread of high-yielding peanut varieties developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute has played a key role in boosting production in char areas.
“There is strong potential to expand peanut cultivation further through crop diversification and rotation, especially in riverine char lands and adjacent areas,” he said.
He added that rising demand from the country’s food processing industry is encouraging farmers to increase peanut cultivation each year.
“To sustain the growth, the agricultural extension services must continue providing quality seeds and field-level support to farmers,” he said.
