Shihabul Islam Shohag

Peanut cultivation has become a blessing for farmers who are living in char areas of Rangpur. By selling the peanuts, they are now able to bring happiness to their families. Rangpur's largest peanut market is never seen in the same location for two years in a row. The market is always set up near to a boat base that moves every year depending on the river's height. Wholesalers from all over the country come to buy peanuts within reasonable price. Buyers with huge quantities of peanut export it to the various location by boat or truck. The selling period of peanuts start at the first week of January and l continue until the first week of March. The riverside market opens twice a week with about 150 to 200 tonnes of the crop being sold each day. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Kurigram, there are around 40,000 char farmers that grow peanuts along the Brahmaputra River. Farmers are aslo regularly advised and given technical support by DAE.