Profitability of pineapple intercrops in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district of Bangladesh

Abstract

Pineapple intercropping is a smart and sustainable agricultural practice for enhancing farm profitability and land use efficiency in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics and loan profile, determine the profitability, and assess the problems and constraints faced by the farmers in pineapple intercrop production in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected from 90 randomly
selected farmers across five villages in the study area. The study focused on three specific intercropping patterns: pineapple-aroid, pineapple-ginger, and pineapple-turmeric, with 30 farmers representing each group. The data were analyzed using tabular and profitability analysis methods. Findings reveal that the majority of farmers were middle-aged (30–64 years), primarily engaged in agriculture, with an average family size of 5.42. Most respondents belonged to the middle-income group and cultivated an average of 85 decimals of land. A significant portion of farmers received agricultural loans and demonstrated high repayment performance. All three intercropping patterns were economically viable, with a total cost per hectare of Tk. 697540.06 (US$ 5837.15) for pineapple-aroid, Tk. 720526.62 (US$ 6029.51) for pineapple-ginger, and Tk. 724033.85 (US$ 6058.86) for pineapple-turmeric. The corresponding net returns were Tk. 963130.66 (US$ 8059.67), Tk. 1206978.03 (US$ 10100.23), and Tk. 1017049.40 (US$ 8510.87), while the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) stood at 2.38, 2.68, and 2.40, respectively. Although pineapple intercropping is profitable, farmers encounter significant challenges, such as high input costs and pest infestations. The government and relevant authorities must take essential actions to address the challenges and limitations encountered by farmers.