Pumpkin boom lifts Rangpur char farmers after early price slump

A bumper sweet pumpkin harvest across northern char areas is now yielding better returns after an early-season price slump, bringing relief to farmers who expanded cultivation this year.

Large-scale farming of the crop has taken place along the Teesta, Brahmaputra, Dudhkumar, and Dharla rivers, spanning Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Gaibandha. Favourable weather, low pest attacks, and institutional support encouraged farmers to bring more land under cultivation.

After facing low prices in March, rising demand has pushed up returns in recent weeks. Farmers say production costs range between Tk 7 and Tk 8 per kilogram, while wholesale prices have climbed to Tk 22–25 and retail prices to Tk 30–35.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), sweet pumpkin is gaining popularity as a winter crop in sandy char lands due to its low cost, high yield, and ease of storage. Many farmers are also cultivating it as a companion crop.

DAE data shows that around 11,000 hectares of land in the Rangpur region have been brought under sweet pumpkin cultivation this season, with a production target of 240,000 tonnes—about 92 percent of it from char areas.

Field-level accounts reflect the shift in fortunes.

Azizur Rahman, 55, of Mohishkhocha in Lalmonirhat’s Aditmari upazila, said he held back sales at the start of the season due to low prices and is now benefiting from the rebound.

“This year, the yield has been very good. I did not sell at the beginning due to low prices. Now, with higher demand, I am getting better rates,” he said.

He cultivated pumpkins on 10 bighas of land in the Teesta char. While he sold part of his produce early at lower prices, he is now selling the rest at Tk 22–25 per kg and expects a substantial profit.

He cultivated pumpkins on 10 bighas of land in the Teesta river char, spending around Tk 180,000, and harvested an average of 70 maunds per bigha. Although he sold 100 maunds at Tk 12 per kg early in the season, he is now selling the rest at Tk 22–25 per kg and expects to make around Tk 350,000 net profit.

In Kurigram’s Nageshwari upazila, Habibur Rahman, 60, said rising demand has turned early disappointment into optimism. “I was worried at the beginning of the season, but now I expect good profits,” he said, adding that wholesalers are collecting pumpkins directly from farms and transporting them to southern districts.

He cultivated pumpkins on 15 bighas this year -- nearly double from last year -- and expects profit to exceed Tk 500,000, compared to Tk 125,000 from eight bighas last year.

Farmers, however, say challenges remain.

Abdar Hossain, 65, of Gangachara upazila in Rangpur, stressed the need for better storage and processing facilities. “We produce pumpkins through hard labour in the char.... If there were proper storage and processing, we could benefit more,” he said, also calling for reduced transportation costs.

Market trends echo the same pattern. Visits to local markets in Rangpur show pumpkins selling at Tk 30–35 per kg, with wholesalers purchasing directly from farmers and sending consignments to southern parts of the country.

Traders say demand has increased steadily over the past month, reversing the early-season slump.

Meanwhile, non-government organisation RDRS Bangladesh is providing up to Tk 5,000 per farmer for seeds, fertiliser, and irrigation in char areas, helping expand cultivation.

Sirajul Islam, additional director of DAE in Rangpur, said the sandy soil of char lands is highly suitable for pumpkin farming and interest among farmers has grown in recent years.

“With rising cultivation and market demand, sweet pumpkin is contributing positively to the char economy,” he said.