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Banana farming on enclosure dykes yields high profits in Narail
Published : Saturday, 7 November, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Observer Correspondent
Collected Photo
Farmers across Narail district are increasingly turning to integrated banana cultivation along the dykes of their fish enclosures, effectively turning previously fallow land into a lucrative secondary source of income.
Local farmers across three upazilas in the district are planting banana saplings along the elevated embankments surrounding their fish ponds, utilizing the same land to harvest both fish and bananas without requiring additional real estate.
Beyond enclosure dykes, local residents are also planting banana trees on fallow patches along roadsides and homestead yards. A substantial portion of the produce harvested from these enclosure dykes is being supplied directly to markets in Dhaka.
Md Kamrul Mollya, an enclosure owner from Noldi Union under Lohagara Upazila, said he initially planted 600 saplings along his 9.5-acre fish enclosure three years ago. His farm now hosts over 1,000 banana trees.
"Traders come to harvest bananas from my enclosure every 20 to 25 days, purchasing around 45 to 50 bunches per visit," Kamrul noted, adding that planned cultivation on previously unutilized dykes offers strong financial returns at relatively low production costs.
Shahin Sheikh, another farmer from Mithapur area, expanded his banana setup from 500 saplings in 2016 to nearly 2,000 trees across his 2.5-acre enclosure.
"I cultivate three varieties: Sagar, local Rumbi, and green plantains," Shahin said. "Traders from Pirojpur buy the bunches directly from the site at 200 BDT per bunch, providing a steady secondary revenue stream alongside fish farming."
Abdur Rahuf, a banana trader from Pirojpur operating since 1981, collects between 50 and 200 bunches daily from local enclosures, buying each bunch for 150 BDT to 400 BDT depending on size and quality.
The produce is collected from upazilas, transported by vans to Lohagara, and subsequently shipped via pickup trucks to wholesale markets in Dhaka.
"Sabri bananas currently face high demand in Dhaka due to their superior taste and colour when grown on enclosure dykes," Rahuf explained, noting that profitability remains subject to market supply fluctuations.
Agricultural observers suggest that planned integration of fruits and vegetables along fish enclosure dykes presents a highly sustainable model for enhancing rural farm profitability.
-EM
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Online-email: [email protected]
