http://www.theindependentbd.com/business/others/19991-sugarcane-production-in-khagrachari.html
Sugarcane production in Khagrachari
Over Tk 26 crore is expected to be earned from sugarcane this year
JAGARAN CHAKMA, back from Khagrachari
Prospects for Sugarcane cultivation in Khagrachari in the three hill districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region appears bright as the soil and land of the district is suitable for sugarcane cultivation than any other districts in the country, Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) officials said. Farmers in the Khagrachhari Sadar, Dighinala, Panchhari, Mohalchhari, Luxmichhari achieved a bumper output of the crop this year as they have cultivated sugarcane in a scientific method with the consultation and logistic support provided by the BSRI amid a favourable climate, the farmers and BSRI sources said.
Talking to The Independent, scientific officer of BSRI, Dibakar Chakma said, apart from the sugarcanes as part of crop diversification there is a huge prospect for commercial farming of Coffee and Coco, two crops from the equatorial region in the CHT due to its quality of soil and favourable weather. The scientific officer of BSRI said, the farmers there had learnt to prepare molasses by crushing the sugarcane, which was better in quality compared to the sugarcane produced rest in the country.
A total of 8,30 hectares of land was brought under sugarcane cultivation in this year, Dibakar Chakma said, adding that “over Tk 26 crore is expected to be earned from sugarcane this year.” He also said that around 30,000 farmers were involved in sugarcane cultivation this year.
Day by day the sugarcane cultivation is increasing in Khagrachari, as it is a profitable crop than any other crops in the CHT region, he said.
Different high yielding varieties of sugarcane was imported from China, Vietnam, India and Philippine to develop the sugarcane cultivation and fulfill the demand of sugarcane in the country, the BSRI official said. BSRI started a pilot project for extension of sugarcane in CHT from 2006 involving TK 5.60 crore, he said. Sugar cane is grown as a 12-15 month crop in a two year rotation with Aus rice crop during the monsoon season, followed by oilseeds, wheat or vegetables during the dry season, Dibakar said, adding “research efforts will be strengthened to raise yield per hectare through improvement of variety, better management of water resources, fertilizers and other inputs, improved cropping systems and development of a sugarcane delivery system from farms to the market.” Chiranjib Chakma, a sugarcane farmer of Bhaibonchara union of Sadar upazila of Khagrachhri told The Independent that he had received logistic support from the BSRI for sugarcane cultivation. I have cultivated two acres of sugarcane this year, providing me an income of Tk 2 lakhs, Chiranjib said.
But there is a problem to sell sugarcanes as the market demand is high at present, buoyed by the availability of mobile phones which helped expand our marketing network across the country, he said. Binoy Kumar Chakma, a potential sugarcane cultivator of Dewanpara village under sadr upzila of Kharchhari said, the businessmen from Dhaka and Chiitagong are coming to buy sugarcane from their field in advance. He also said that the sugarcane was more profitable than any other crops but requires large labour force for the plantation.
