Little sugarcane is grown in Narsingdi, but agricultural entrepreneur Mohsin has succeeded by growing a black sugarcane variety from the Philippines, the report says. Starting with a single seedling in Shibpur, Narsingdi, he has taken cane growing to a commercial level, opening new possibilities for farmers. With profits doubling for several years, farmers are turning to sugarcane. High land and sandy loam soil suit the crop. Farmers say favourable weather this year has brought a bumper harvest, and they are pleased with both the yield and the higher prices.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), sugarcane has been grown on 182 hectares in Narsingdi's six upazilas this dry season. Mohsin, a grower in the Munshefer Char area of Putia union in Shibpur upazila, started with 2 bighas. Last year he spent Tk 1 lakh on 2 bighas and sold cane worth about Tk 3 lakh. This year too he has had a bumper crop and hopes for a good price. He grows several varieties in his field. Cane is currently selling in the markets at Tk 60-80 a piece.

Maruf Hasan Murad is a young man from Syednagar Doripara village in the same Putia union. Three years ago, as a hobby, he planted a single seedling of the black Philippine sugarcane in his yard. Drawn by the cane's sweet, soft and juicy taste, he planned to grow it commercially and began raising seedlings, first in the yard and then in the field. Within three years he established himself as a successful cane grower and became financially self-reliant. He now helps farmers in Narsingdi and neighbouring districts with seedlings of the new variety and advice on how to grow it.

"This variety is thick, tall and juicy, so it is in great demand in the market. I buy it wholesale at Tk 60 a piece and sell it for Tk 100 to Tk 150. I've made a good profit," said Omar Faruk, a local cane wholesaler.

Local people said Maruf had drawn attention by growing the black Philippine cane, and people come from various districts every day to see his field. He has become self-reliant by selling cane and seedlings. They said that if the variety were spread across the country with the help of the DAE, all the country's farmers would benefit and farming would see a revolutionary change.

"Sugarcane is being grown on 182 hectares in Narsingdi this financial year. Most of it is chewing cane," said Dr Muhammad Abdul Hai, acting deputy director of the district DAE.

"This year a new black variety of sugarcane from the Philippines has been grown in Narsingdi, which is very sweet and soft. It has few diseases, so it is quite profitable. The DAE in Narsingdi always stands by farmers, providing seed, pesticide and fertiliser and advising on technological innovation," he said.

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