Photo : BSS

By Meah Mohammed Arif

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 14, 2025 (BSS)- Farmers in Sitakunda upazila are witnessing remarkable profits from cultivating the summer variety of Rupban beans, earning nearly four times more than from winter bean varieties.

Hillsides in Boro Kumira and surrounding areas have turned vibrant with blooming Rupban bean flowers and purple pods, where farmers are busy harvesting and tending vines. According to growers, the high market demand for the summer beans has significantly boosted returns. 

At the season's start, the bean variety sold for up to Tk 250 per kg at wholesale markets. Prices have now stabilized between Tk 120 and Tk 150 per kg, still ensuring strong profits. Farmers said continuous rain caused premature flower fall, otherwise earnings would have been even higher. 

Sitakunda, long known for producing winter beans such as chhuri, loytta and bata, is seeing rapid expansion of summer Rupban bean farming. The Upazila Agriculture Office said only seven hectares were under Rupban bean cultivation two years ago, but the area now stands at 30 hectares for the second consecutive year. 

Rupban beans are typically planted between May and June, with harvesting beginning after 60 days and continuing until December. Production falls near year-end due to water scarcity as winter bean varieties enter the market.

Field visits show extensive cultivation on hills east of the old TB hospital near Kumira Railway Station, and in areas including Chaudduripara and Hasan Gomasta Para. Farmers use bamboo trellises to support the vines, where flowers and pods continue appearing even during harvesting. 

Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Suzen Ghosh said over 400 hill spots across Sitakunda are now used for bean farming, producing enough for local markets as well as export. Farmers in Kumira Union alone sell around 15 tons of beans twice a week, amounting to Tk 18-22 lakh.

Farmer Yusuf Nabi of Chaudduripara cultivated beans on 30 decimals of land and has already earned Tk 2.2 lakh, expecting another Tk 1 lakh in the coming month. With a production cost of Tk 70,000, he reported a four-fold return despite rainfall reducing yield. 

Another farmer, Shafiul Alam of Hasan Gomasta area, said early-season growers enjoyed higher profits due to better prices. Jahangir Alam of Dharampur, who cultivated beans on two acres of hill land, has sold produce worth over Tk 8 lakh this season. He noted that hill farming without rent or irrigation cost significantly boosts earnings.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Habibullah said summer Rupban bean cultivation began experimentally in 2010 on five hectares. Last year's 30 hectares yielded over 170 metric tons. He expects the cultivated area to expand further as farmers continue gaining strong profits from the crop.