Bumper production of Sugarcane has been achieved in Borhanuddin of Bhola during COVID-19 lockdown. Farmers of the area have stated that production of sugarcane in this year was almost double than the previous one. Despite bumper yield, most of the farmers sold crops to wholesalers fearing market crash due to nationwide pandemic.
For that reason, wholesalers are now selling sugarcane at double or triple prices in the market. Farmers of the district are not totally happy with the outcome.Department of Agricultural Extension stated that the target production of chewable sugarcane has been set to 5,600 tons at 130 hector farmlands in the upazila.
This year, the production of sugarcane was almost double in most of the farmlands. Officials added that due to favorable weather and proper maintenance, yield quantity increased. Bangladesh Sugar crop Institute held workshop for farmers in the area earlier this year on cultivating variations of chewable sugarcane and also supplied them healthy seeds.
Officers of upazila agricultural office said that less amount of sugarcane were attacked by Red Rot fungi (a disease which turns the color of sugarcane red). But farmers informed that insects like Mazra and other pests attacked more often so the pesticide costs were higher.
Though Borhanuddin in famous for this seasonal crops, majority of Sugarcane are produced in Boromanika and Kutuba union. Farmer Ishak, Khorshed Alam, Abdul Malek and Kamal of Boromanika union said that Bangladesh Sugar Crop Institute has supplied Rang Bilash and Amrit variant of Sugarcane seeds which are fast growing one. They have also collected CO-208 and Bombay-208 variants as they hold premium scent and flavor.
Farmer Ishak said he invested 55 thousand in the production and sold the crops at 1,21,000 taka. Farmers like Reshad Ali, Abdul Malek, Kamal Hossain, Jamal in the area have sold their product at more than double amount which they have invested initially.
Reshad Ali said the farmers in the area were worried about the condition of market as it was fluctuating due to COVID-19. So they sold the product as early as possible. Now the wholesalers are selling the same product as double or triple prices. All of them should have waited a little bit, he added.
Borhanuddin Upazila Agricultural Officer Omar Faruk said Sugarcane production is a less risky process and the profit margin can be huge. Authorities are trying to popularize the chewable sugarcane variant in the area.
---MH Shipon, Borhanuddin
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