Sugarcane cultivation is changing the fate of farmers, opening up additional income avenues

Farmers in Panchagarh are seeing profits by cultivating Bombay sugarcane. Farmers are satisfied with the yield and sale of sugarcane this season due to favorable weather, relatively low attacks of diseases and insects, and good prices in the market.

The demand for Bombay sugarcane, which is suitable for chewing, is particularly good in the local market. Wholesalers are buying sugarcane from farmers' lands and taking it to different parts of the country. This is bringing cash to many farmers before the production is completed.

Good market price for Bombay sugarcane

Bombay sugarcane is also known as Mumbai or Genderi sugarcane in many areas. Since it is juicy and delicious, it is mainly popular for chewing. There is also a demand for this variety of sugarcane in the market.

Bombay sugarcane is currently being sold in various markets and markets in Panchagarh. Each sugarcane costs about 30 to 40 taka. On the other hand, a glass of sugarcane juice is being sold by crushing sugarcane in a machine for about 20 taka.

Due to the sufficient supply of sugarcane, on the one hand, farmers are getting good prices, while on the other hand, buyers are also able to buy sugarcane at a relatively comfortable price.

Farmers hoping for profit at low cost

Ishradi, Dhalesari, Mishridana and various local varieties of sugarcane are cultivated in Panchagarh. Many farmers are turning to sugarcane cultivation due to the possibility of getting good income with relatively low cost and less effort.

Now many farmers are busy cutting sugarcane from their land and selling it in the market. Moreover, as wholesalers buy sugarcane directly from the land, the farmers' transportation and marketing problems are also reduced.

Selling 30 thousand taka by cultivating sugarcane on 20th century land

Farmer Shaha Ali of Magura village in Tentulia has made a profit by cultivating sugarcane. Shaha Ali, who lives with a family of 13 members, does not have any arable land of his own. He has cultivated Bombay sugarcane on 20th century land by mortgaging other people's land.

Farmer Shaha Ali said that he has received about 30 thousand taka by selling a large part of the sugarcane produced on that land at the crossroads market in the last 10 to 15 days. He is quite satisfied with this.

Like him, other farmers also feel that if government support for sugarcane cultivation is increased, it will be possible to cultivate this crop on more land in the future.

Sugarcane cultivation is likely to increase further if there is a sugar mill

There is currently no large sugar mill in Panchagarh district and its surrounding areas for sugarcane processing. As a result, a large part of the locally produced sugarcane is chewed and used to make jaggery on a small scale.

According to farmers and concerned people, if a sugar mill is set up in the area by a government or private initiative, the sugarcane market can expand further. This will increase the demand for sugarcane and also encourage farmers to cultivate sugarcane on more land.

Panchagarh sugar mill operations suspended from 2020

According to the District Agricultural Extension Department, there is currently no specific single target for sugarcane cultivation at the government level in Panchagarh. One of the reasons for this is that the production and threshing activities of Panchagarh Sugar Mill have been temporarily suspended since 2020.

However, the Agriculture Department is providing necessary advice and support to maintain the interest of farmers in sugarcane cultivation.

Assurance of cooperation from the Agriculture Department

Panchagarh District Agriculture Extension Department Deputy Director Agriculturist Abdul Matin said that the Agriculture Department is providing necessary support to farmers to increase sugarcane cultivation and yield.

According to the farmers, if government support for improved seeds, modern farming methods, training and marketing is further increased, it is possible to significantly increase the scope of sugarcane cultivation in Panchagarh.

Overall, due to favorable weather conditions and good market prices, Bombay sugarcane is now becoming a potential cash crop for farmers in Panchagarh. If proper support and market system are ensured, this crop can play a bigger role in the local agricultural economy.