Fruit farming transforms Bangladesh’s drought-hit Barind

From drought to diversification: How fruit farming is reshaping the Barind region

In Bangladesh’s Barind region, drought and groundwater decline push farmers from rice to fruits, raising incomes while testing food security, storage and climate resilience amid growing market pressures.

In one of Bangladesh’s most drought-prone landscapes, farmers are quietly redefining agriculture. Godagari Upazila in Rajshahi’s Barind region, once struggling under low-yield rice and wheat cultivation, is now witnessing a rapid shift toward high-value fruits and vegetables, driven by water scarcity, market pressures and climate stress.

Over the past decade, farmers have moved away from water-intensive cereal crops to tomatoes, guava, dragon fruit, malta, or sweet orange and limited orange cultivation. The transition has increased incomes, created rural employment and injected momentum into the local economy. At the same time, it has raised new questions about food security, storage infrastructure and long-term climate resilience.

Higher incomes, new vulnerabilities

For many farmers, the economic benefits are clear. Earlier, rice could be grown only once a year and income was barely sufficient, said Habibur Rahman, a guava and malta grower from Hujrapur village. Now, fruit orchards provide a lump sum return, allowing families to purchase rice from the market throughout the year.

However, this shift has introduced new vulnerabilities. Farmers who once produced staple grains now depend on external markets for food, making them sensitive to price shocks and supply disruptions.

Experts warn that without supportive policies, income gains may not translate into long-term food security.

Scale of diversification

Godagari has around 41,199 hectares of cultivable land where more than 22 types of crops are grown. Data from the Department of Agricultural Extension show a sharp rise in high-value crops.

Tomato is cultivated on 2,710 hectares, producing around 97,560 tonnes annually, with an estimated market value of 24.39 billion taka. Guava covers 1,025 hectares, yielding 45,580 tonnes. Dragon fruit has expanded from 20 hectares five years ago to 195 hectares. Malta is grown on 165 hectares, while orange cultivation remains limited but growing.

Over the past five years, the area under Aman, Aus and Boro rice as well as wheat has declined, while fruits, vegetables, maize, mustard, lentils and sweet potato cultivation have increased.

Jobs and agro-industry linkages

The diversification has generated new employment opportunities across farming and trading networks. Tomato trader Sadikul Islam said 30 to 35 workers are employed daily to collect, sort and transport tomatoes, earning 500 to 600 taka per day.

Large agro-processors have also strengthened market linkages. PRAN Group collected about 22,000 tonnes of tomatoes last season from Rajshahi, mainly from Godagari, for processed food production. Collection and pulping facilities are operating in the Rajshahi and Natore regions.

Wholesale traders report strong and consistent demand. Godagari’s guava, malta and dragon fruit are well accepted in Rajshahi and beyond, said wholesaler Abdus Salam.

Adaptation finance gap

Despite the progress, a lack of investment threatens the sustainability of this transformation. Rajshahi produces more than 500,000 tonnes of vegetables annually, yet an estimated 5 to 10 percent is lost each year due to the absence of cold storage and preservation facilities.

“There is virtually no system for storing perishable crops,” said Dr Kazi Zulfikar Ali, associate professor of economics at the University of Rajshahi. “Farmers are forced to sell at low prices during peak harvests. Storage, processing and affordable credit are critical.”

Climate advocates argue that this is where adaptation finance becomes essential.

“The success we see in Godagari proves that climate-resilient crops can work in water-stressed landscapes,” said Sohanur Rahman, a Bangladeshi climate advocate and youth leader. “But without dedicated adaptation finance for water management, cold storage, processing facilities and farmer-led solutions, these gains will remain fragile and uneven.”

Beyond local success

Agricultural officials acknowledge that diversification has improved resilience but caution against complacency. Unplanned urbanisation, rising input costs, climate extremes such as prolonged drought followed by intense rainfall and excessive agro-chemical use remain major risks.

At the same time, the Barind region holds strong potential for agro-processing, export-oriented fruit production and climate-resilient livelihoods if supported by policy coherence and investment.

Water scarcity is driving adaptation

The Barind region is characterised by elevated land, hard soil structure and chronic groundwater depletion. Rice cultivation requires heavy irrigation, making it increasingly unviable. In contrast, fruit and vegetable crops demand less water and provide faster and more stable returns.

Farmers naturally move toward crops that offer higher profits with lower water use, said Mohammad Nasir Uddin, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rajshahi. In a water-stressed area like Barind, this shift is inevitable.

Climate advocates say this transition reflects a frontline adaptation response to climate change rather than a temporary market trend.

“In the Barind region, water scarcity is not just an agricultural challenge; it is a climate reality that farmers confront every season,” said Sohanur Rahman. “Adaptation here means moving beyond old practices to resilient farming systems that use water wisely, create income and protect livelihoods.”

Godagari’s experience offers lessons for drought-prone regions across South Asia and the Global South. As climate change tightens water availability, adaptation in agriculture will increasingly depend not only on farmers’ innovation but on whether national and international climate finance reaches the fields where it is most needed.