The lush, picturesque hills of Rangamati’s Naniarchar upazila, famed for producing the delectable 'Honey Queen' pineapples, are overflowing with an abundant harvest this year.
Instead of rejoicing, farmers find themselves fighting with an unsettling dilemma—an oversupply of fruit but a dwindling market, leaving their golden bounty to wither away in despair.
This season’s early harvest, driven by the application of growth hormones, has flooded the markets with ripened pineapples well ahead of their usual cycle.
While these fruits typically grace the markets in the balmy months of May or June, farmers began plucking them as early as January, an unnatural acceleration that now threatens their profitability.
A Harvest Turned Sour
The picturesque hills of Rangamati are home to two primary varieties of pineapples: the robust Giant Q and the much-coveted Honey Queen.
The latter, grown in abundance in Naniarchar, Longadu, Baghaichhari and Barkal, is known for its ambrosial sweetness and tender texture. But this season’s early ripening has thrown farmers into distress.
Khamaari Dhala Chan Chhakma, a farmer from Baghaichhari, lamented how the hormone-induced acceleration backfired. "We hoped for prosperity, but instead, we are witnessing our efforts go to waste. The fruits ripened too soon, and now they are rotting in the orchards, with no buyers in sight," he shared with a heavy heart.
Abdul Karim, another farmer from Naniarchar, echoed similar sentiments.
Following recommendations from the Department of Agriculture, many farmers embraced hormone-based techniques to ensure year-round production. Despite the pineapples’ size and renowned sweetness, the cold weather has dampened their flavour and market demand has plummeted, he said.
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A Market in Decline
The pineapples, carried in engine boats along the scenic waterways of Rangamati, reach key trading hubs such as Sumataghath, Tablachhari, the Municipal Truck Terminal and Rirjabh, where wholesalers typically snap them up. But this year, the enthusiasm of traders has been replaced with reluctance.
Kalam, a trader struggling to cope with the market downturn, voiced his concerns. "We have no choice but to buy directly from the farms at a lower price. The market is not supporting us, and we're feeling the strain too," he admitted.
Traders blame the unusually chilly weather for diminishing the pineapples’ natural sweetness, making them less appealing to consumers.
Nasim Haider, Deputy Director of the Rangamati District Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), acknowledged the predicament.
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"The hormone treatment was aimed at meeting market demand, but the colder temperatures led to subpar quality, affecting sales," he said.
But he remains optimistic, suggesting that as temperatures rise, both the quality and prices of pineapples are likely to improve.
A Cry for Cold Storage
This year, 1,240 hectares in Naniarchar were dedicated to cultivating Honey Queen pineapples, with an estimated yield of 7,000 tonnes.
The agriculture department remains hopeful that the final yield will surpass expectations.
Yet, the recurring issue of oversupply and price crashes has reignited calls for a cold storage facility in Rangamati. Farmers have long pleaded for a preservation system to shield their perishable produce from market volatility.
“With cold storage, we wouldn’t have to watch our hard-earned harvest rot before our eyes. It would give us control over supply and prices,” said a farmer, his voice tinged with frustration.
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As the hills of Rangamati continue to bear their golden treasures, farmers await a solution that will allow them to savour the true fruits of their labour.
Until then, the bounty of Honey Queen pineapples remains bittersweet.