Revolution in Fruit Cultivation in CHT

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is a land of immense potential. The three hill districts – Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban – are unique not only for their ethnic diversity but also for their diverse landscapes. Having been born and raised in the hills, I have closely witnessed the daily struggles of the people whose lives and livelihoods are deeply intertwined with this region. In my childhood, I observed that shifting cultivation, locally known as Jhum cultivation, was one of the primary agricultural practices in the hills. In addition, raising livestock in the naturally growing forests and woodlands, as well as cutting trees and branches to sell as firewood in local markets, was an important source of income for many hill residents. Although some seasonal fruits were cultivated on a limited scale at that time, the picture has changed dramatically today.
The agricultural landscape of the hill regions has been transformed through a range of government and private-sector initiatives. Over the past two decades, CHT have witnessed a silent agricultural revolution driven by the planned cultivation of fruits. If you visit the hills during the peak fruit season, particularly in the Bengali months of Baishakh and Jyeshtha (April-June), you may feel as though you have arrived in a city in Thailand or Vietnam. An astonishing variety of fruits (rich in colour, aroma and taste) is now being produced in the hills, something that would have been unimaginable even a decade ago.
According to research findings and government statistics, between 44 and 46 species of fruits are currently cultivated in CHT. The three hill districts now contribute approximately 20 per cent of the country’s total fruit production. Data from the Department of Agricultural Extension indicate that nearly 1.9 million tonnes of fruits have recently been produced in the region. Of this amount, more than 2,00,000 tonnes are pineapples. In addition, the region produces 13,043 tonnes of oranges (Malta), the highest production volume of this fruit in Bangladesh.
The three hill districts together cover approximately 13,295 square kilometres of mountainous terrain. For decades, the region has been recognised as a distinct agro-ecological zone with significant agricultural potential. Its undulating landscape, red and yellow soils, high annual rainfall (2,000-3,000 mm), and tropical climate combine to create highly favourable conditions for fruit cultivation. Where shifting cultivation (Jhum farming) was once the dominant livelihood, the landscape is now increasingly characterised by integrated orchards comprising mango, jackfruit, banana, papaya, pineapple, orange, malta, dragon fruit, cashew nut and many other fruit crops. These orchards are playing an important role in increasing farmers’ incomes, creating employment opportunities and promoting environmental conservation. While commercial fruit cultivation was almost non-existent two decades ago, more than 1,00,000 hectares of land are now under fruit orchards. Fruit production has increased significantly compared with 2017, and the area under fruit cultivation continues to expand at an average annual rate of more than 10 per cent.

In addition to the region’s favourable natural environment, several factors have contributed to this remarkable transformation. To reduce poverty and promote alternative livelihood opportunities in the hill areas, the government, in collaboration with Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board and the Ministry of Agriculture, has implemented integrated mixed-fruit cultivation expansion programmes. Through these initiatives, thousands of farmers have received training, quality planting materials and technical support.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and other research organisations have developed fruit varieties and production technologies specifically suited to hill agriculture, which have significantly enhanced fruit productivity. At the same time, growing consumer demand for nutritious fruits has increased the commercial value of naturally grown hill fruits. As a result, farmers are increasingly shifting from traditional Jhum cultivation to commercial fruit orchards, which offer higher and more sustainable returns.
Country and exotic fruit cultivation has been playing a significant role in improving the livelihoods of the people of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Many families now consider fruit farming their primary source of income. A large number of farmers have moved away from traditional jhum cultivation and achieved economic self-reliance through planned fruit production. Many farmers are now selling seasonal fruits and fruit products through social media platforms. Since different fruits can be harvested from the same land in different seasons, farmers’ annual incomes have increased substantially.
Historically, malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies have been prevalent among many ethnic communities in the hill regions. However, the rapid expansion of fruit cultivation is helping address this challenge.
Fruit cultivation is important not only from an economic perspective but also from an environmental standpoint. Fruit orchards have increased tree cover in the hill areas, contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. The roots of fruit trees firmly hold the soil on hill slopes, thereby reducing soil erosion. In addition, orchards are creating attractions for eco-tourism while helping conserve the fragile hill ecosystem and soil resources.
Despite its immense potential, fruit cultivation in the hill regions faces several challenges. Among the most significant are poor transportation networks and the lack of storage and processing facilities. Due to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure, an estimated 25 to 45 per cent of the total fruit production is wasted annually. This loss is particularly high for major fruits such as mango, jackfruit, litchi, banana, pineapple, and orange.
To address these challenges, both government and private-sector initiatives are needed to improve infrastructure, establish cold storage facilities and fruit-processing industries and strengthen agricultural cooperatives and marketing systems. At the same time, government efforts are required to expand small-scale irrigation projects in the hill areas, create opportunities for fruit exports, and develop and disseminate climate-resilient fruit varieties.
Fruit cultivation in CHT is not merely an agricultural activity; it is a movement for social, economic and environmental transformation. Over the past two decades, it has improved the livelihoods of thousands of farming families, provided a sustainable alternative to Jhum cultivation, and made a significant contribution to the country’s fruit production and nutritional security. With appropriate policy support, market development and technological assistance, Chittagong Hill Tracts has the potential to become one of Bangladesh’s largest fruit-producing regions in the future.
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The writer is a Senior Communication Officer, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). He can be reached at [email protected]