Photo: BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Jan 16, 2026 (BSS)-Tomato cultivation has emerged as a significant economic force in Rajshahi, contributing an estimated Taka 100 crore in yearly trade.

Many of the farmers of Godagari, Tanore and Paba upazilas are spending a busy time harvesting tomatoes from their fields.
 
During the current winter season, tomatoes are being grown on around 3,500 hectares of land across the district.

Wholesale prices are presently hovering between Taka 1,800 and Taka 2,000 per maund, while early-harvest tomatoes have secured even higher prices.

At the beginning of the season, many traders purchase produce directly from farmers' fields, providing growers with immediate and consistent cash returns.

Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said tomatoes produced in Rajshahi are largely free from chemical ripening agents, which has strengthened consumer trust and increased demand in major urban markets.

After mango, tomatoes have now become the district's second most important cash crop, directly engaging more than one lakh families in farming and trading.

In addition, thousands of others earn livelihoods through transportation, storage, and marketing linked to the tomato supply chain.
 
Farmers said tomato is more profitable than most other field crops, with production ranging from 60 to 70 maunds per bigha.
 
Ijarul Haque, a farmer of Premtali village in Godagari, said he cultivated tomatoes on five bighas of land. He harvested 10 maunds in the first phase and sold them at Taka 2,300 per maund, adding that production will increase further in the coming days.

Another farmer, Amzad Hossain, said good prices are available at the beginning of the season and traders often purchase tomatoes from entire fields in advance.

He said traders from outside districts regularly visit the area to buy tomatoes while local traders also participate.
 
Tozammel Haque of Sultanganj village said he cultivated two hybrid varieties on one and a half bighas of land, spending Taka 1.25 lakh. Over the last two weeks, he sold tomatoes worth Taka 30,000 at rates of Taka 70-75 per kilogram.
 
"Platform-cultivated tomatoes have high demand as they ripen naturally on the plants without the need for chemicals," he added.
 
Saiful Islam, 47, of Pirijpur village said he cultivated high-yielding varieties that are fetching good prices in the markets. He said tomatoes are currently selling at Taka 1,800 to Taka 2,000 per maund in wholesale markets.
 
Ekramul Haque of Bijoynagar village said many farmers in the region have already changed their fortunes through tomato cultivation, earning between Taka 25,000 and Taka 35,000 per bigha in a season.
 
"Tomato farming is gaining popularity in the region, especially in the vast Barind tract, as it is highly profitable here," said Dr Azizur Rahman, additional director of Department of Agricultural Extension.
 
He said tomatoes, now considered the second major cash crop of the region, play an important role in the local economy.

More than one lakh families are directly benefiting from tomato cultivation and trading, while a large number of employment opportunities are generated every year.
 
Retired Chief Scientific Officer of the Fruit Research Station, Dr Alim Uddin, said the soil and climatic conditions of Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts are highly suitable for tomato cultivation.
 
Although tomato is cultivated more or less in all upazilas of Rajshahi, Godagari upazila produces two third of all tomatoes produced in the country.

During early winter and winter season, Godagari upazila produces tomatoes worth several Taka hundred crores.