NAOGAON: Banana farming has piqued the interest of peasants in the district due to its lower production cost and higher profit margins.
According to sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 1,140 hectares of land have been brought under banana cultivation in the district this season.
Majority of the farmers are cultivating Chini Champa variety of banana while some others are farming Sagor and Manik varieties, the DAE sources added.
One Atikur Rahman of Ganeshpur village under Manda upazila said, "I had been cultivating potato, pointed gourd and other vegetable varieties since my boyhood."
"In the recent years, however, I have been involved in banana farming and getting outstanding output," he added.
Grower Masud Rana of Merulla village under the same upazila said, "I have been farming Chini Champa and Manik varieties of banana on my 3.1 acres of land for last eleven years."
"I am getting comparatively low prices for the produce now but I am expecting a price rise before the upcoming month of Ramadan," Mr Rana added.
Deputy Director of Naogaon DAE Shamsul Wadud said, "Banana farming is becoming popular in the district again due to its lower production costs and higher profit.
"Once banana trees are transplanted, they can be reproduced at the same piece of land for next several years with least care and cost," he added.
