Masud Bhuiyan, a farm entrepreneur from Ramchandrapur village in Kaliganj upazila, Gazipur, has grown the Philippine "black sugar cane" variety on a trial basis. Growing it on one and a half bighas at the very first attempt, he has drawn wide attention and got the yield he hoped for. It cost about Tk 1 lakh, and he hopes to sell the cane for Tk 4-5 lakh.

This Philippine variety is not for making sugar or molasses but for eating. Although black-brown in colour, it is very sweet and juicy, and being much softer than local cane it is very popular for chewing. Masud said that once planted, it yields for three to four years.

He said: "I became interested after seeing it on YouTube. Then I collected cuttings from Tangail and planted them on my land. I have had regular help from the local agriculture office. Costs were high in the first year because everything was new, but from next year costs will fall and profit will rise."

Neher Uddin Sheikh, a farmer in his sixties from Ramchandrapur, said: "At first I doubted whether this cane would survive. But now I see it is quite tall and tastes good. Everyone in the area, young and old, is buying it. Even wholesalers want to buy the whole crop."

Sajjad Hossain, a farmer in his thirties, said: "Seeing Masud's sugarcane encouraged me. I have taken cuttings from him and started growing it myself." Sumon Palowan of the same village said the same.

Masud's venture has now interested many farmers nearby. The upazila agriculture office said this cane has been grown on about 1 hectare in Kaliganj this year.

Azizur Rahman Rubel, sub-assistant agriculture officer for Moktarpur block, said: "Masud works on the agriculture office's advice. Others are being inspired by his success."

Sub-assistant plant protection officer Md Aktaruzzaman said: "Because this variety is soft and sweet, it has some pest problems, especially stem borer. We are monitoring regularly and giving the necessary guidance."

Upazila agriculture officer Agriculturist Farzana Taslim said: "Masud has profited from growing this Philippine sugarcane. It costs little and pays well, and will encourage new entrepreneurs. The agriculture office is giving him all kinds of support, which will continue."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.