A group of young men in Narayanganj is trying to bring back the tradition of date palm sap under the banner "Ras Bagicha" (sap garden). This winter they are working with 46 date palm trees in the Kabilar Mor area of Bandar, and say they will gradually increase the number.
Selim, the gachhi (sap tapper) at Ras Bagicha, said: "We have 46 date palm trees here. We hope to collect about 250-300 litres of sap a day, which can be supplied to Narayanganj and nearby areas. To keep the sap safe we will use nets and pots, so bats cannot spoil it. Above all, we will try to keep the quality of the sap fully intact."
Different estimates of the yield
Mostafizur Rahman Sadril, an admin of Ras Bagicha, said 300-400 litres of sap were collected here last year, and this year they hope to get an average of 200-250 litres a day. If they can collect sap as expected, they will make a profit, but they are giving more priority to reviving the tradition of date palm sap among the current generation than to profit.
He added that tents will be made of date palm leaves so people can fully enjoy the winter atmosphere, there will be car parking, and picnics can be arranged for anyone who wants one.
Zobayer Hossain Nur, chief admin of Ras Bagicha, said date palms can be seen in many districts, but in urban areas, especially Narayanganj and its surroundings, they are on the verge of disappearing. "Still, we found many date palms here, which is like a dream for us. We want to take care of them and tap the sap," he said.
"Our main aim is to draw the current generation to date palm trees. Just imagining coming under the tree on a winter morning to collect and drink the sap feels special. So we want to bring back the tradition of date palm sap through Ras Bagicha," he added.
Muhammad Shah Alam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Narayanganj, said date palms and their sap are traditionally bound up with Bengali culture. Date palms were once seen in Narayanganj, but their number is steadily falling because of industrialisation, housing and other reasons. "We are encouraging planting date palm seedlings on fallow land and along roadsides, and we are also encouraging those working with date palm sap. We will be beside them for any help they need," he said.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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