Once the Barind region of greater Rajshahi district was famous for Pineapple cultivation but now-a-days, it is only a forgotten past. The Pineapple bushes are no longer seen in the region though hundreds of farmers of the region could become self-reliant by cultivating Pineapple in the fallow land and the raised grounds of red -soil under the Barind tract.
Just four decades ago, innumerous pineapple plants were seen in and around the farmers' houses and at the roadside. However, now no pineapple plants are seen in these areas.
The salient characteristics of Pineapple of the Barind region is that it is aromatic, extremely sweet and tasty. Pineapple is a South American fruit. It was first discovered by Europeans in 1493 on the Caribbean island that came to be known as Guadalupe. Its generic name is Ananas Comosus, belonging to the Bromeliaceae family.
Pineapples are actually not just one fruit but a composite of many flowers which are formed by individual fruit-lets fusing together around a central core. Each fruit-let can be identified by an "eye," -the rough spiny marking on the pineapple's surface.
Traders of Rajshahi carry Pineapple from Tangail, Mymensingh and Sylhet. Every day they import 50 to 70 trucks of pineapple from those districts. They purchase each pineapple for taka 6.00 to 10.00 depending upon the size and is sold in the local market at taka 30 to 40 each.
Additional Director of Agricultural Extension Department in Rajshahi informed, fruit traders of Rajshahi mainly bring pineapples from Sylhet, Maulvibazar, Chittagong, Tangail and Mymensingh. The farmers of the district are not interested in cultivating pineapple in their own lands. Many farmers occasionally plant pineapple in the land beside their houses but it has a great opportunity to be cultivated as a profitable fruit in the Barind region, DAE sources mentioned.
The sources also informed, pineapples of the Barind region are very tasty and nutritious. It is possible to preserve pineapples as packets of juice, jam, jelly and squash which are in high demand in the local and foreign markets.
Fahim Ara Ety, Councilor of Rajshahi City Corporation in charge of Health and Nutrition unit of RCC said, pineapple is a very juicy and nutritious fruit. Raw pineapple is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C. It also contains Carotene, Phosphorus and Calcium. It helps to increase the digestive power of the human body. Pineapple is very helpful for growing-children as well, she added.