Tanzinul Hoque Rumon, Tangail
The sugarcane farmers in Tangail have got huge success in cultivation this year. As the yield is good, they are cutting sugarcane from the field in advance and taking it to the market. They are also getting good market price. Sugarcane farmers are satisfied with the expected price of sugarcane. Sugarcane cultivation is increasing in Tangail as it is very profitable.
For the past few years, farmers have been getting the expected yield by cultivating sugarcane regularly. Following previous success, the farmers of the district have again achieved great success in sugarcane cultivation.
Rakibul Islam, a farmer from Dharerabari area of Baghil Union in Tangail Sadar Upazila, said, “I have planted sugarcane on one bigha of land this year. It cost me 25,000 taka to buy saplings, plow, and labor costs. I hope to get 50 thousands taka by selling sugarcane.”
Sugarcane farmer Badsha Mia said, "This year I have cultivated sugarcane on 1.5 bighas of land. Sugarcane yield has deteriorated in 4 decimals land. However, I can get benefit from the good price of sugarcane in the market." Rokon Hossain Khoka, a farmer from Baghil area, said, “I have cultivated sugarcane in about 100 bighas of land in Dharerabari, Pichuria, Krishnapur and Tablapara areas of Baghil union. Sugarcane has been grown well in these areas.”
Jalil Mia, a farmer from Charabari area of Dainya Union in Tangail Sadar Upazila, said, “I have planted sugarcane on 4 bighas of land this year. And for the cost of preparing the land, buying saplings, labor, fertilizers, pesticides, I spent about 75 thousand taka. I hope sugarcane will be sold for more than one and a half lakh taka. Farmer Hasan Ali Mia said, "This year I have cultivated sugarcane in 1.5 bighas of land. I can benefit from the good price of sugarcane in the market."
Razzak Mia, a farmer from Nagarpur, said, “More than twice as many farmers are cultivating sugarcane in Nagarpur this time as last year. It is because last time there was a good profit. The market is good again; there will be more profit this year."
Mansur Ali, a sugarcane seller in Tangail Park Bazar, said, "I cultivate one bigha of my own land and also buy and sell sugarcane from other farmers' lands. I can get benefit from that. Farmers also get benefit." He also added that,"We have been cultivating sugarcane for several years and we are earning a good amount of money every year." According to the Tangail District Agriculture Extension Department, sugarcane has been cultivated in 10 out of 12 upazilas of Tangail except Sakhipur and Dhanbari upazilas. This year the target for sugarcane cultivation in the district was 559 hectares, and sugarcane has been cultivated in 786 hectares of land, which is 227 hectares more than the target. The yield has been 26,405 metric tons.
In this regard, Deputy Director of Tangail District Agriculture Extension Department Abdur Razzak told, “Sugarcane cultivation has been increasing in the district for the last few years.
This year, sugarcane has been harvested huge. Farmers are benefiting by selling sugarcane. The cost of cultivating sugarcane comes from cultivating companion crops in the sugarcane field. Later, the farmers get the money from the sale of sugarcane as a one-time profit. In Tangail, the chewing type sugarcane is cultivated mostly.”
He added, “Sugarcane farmers are being trained by the agriculture department. Besides, the Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers go to the field and give advice to the farmers. The sugarcane of Tangail goes to different places of the country including Pabna and Sirajganj to meet the demand of the district. About 20 to 30 percent of sugarcane has been harvested so far."