Matlab farmers delighted with bumper yield of sugarcanes, good profit

OUR CORRESPONDENT

CHANDPUR, Sept 15: A bumper yield of sugarcane has brought smiles to the faces of farmers in Matlab Uttar Upazila of the district this season.

This year, sugarcane has been cultivated on 205 hectares of land across 14 unions under the upazila, thanks to favorable weather and suitable soil conditions.

Farmers in the region are earning good returns from their recent harvest. During visits to various areas of Matlab Uttar Upazila, this correspondent observed that many sugarcane growers in Shatnol, Jahirabad, Mohanpur, and Farazikandi unions are busy harvesting their crops. Women are also actively assisting in the fields.

Many farmers are selling their sugarcane in local hats and bazaars to recover their investments.

Speaking to The Financial Express (FE), sugarcane farmer Md Mohsin Mia (45) of Hanirpar area said he sells each mature stick of sugarcane at Tk 40-50. He cultivated around 7,000 sticks and spent about Tk 45,000 on production. So far, he has sold sugarcane worth Tk 25,000 and expects to sell the remaining for approximately Tk 140,000.

"Last year, I didn't make any profit, but this year I am hopeful of earning around Tk 80,000," he said. Mohsin has been cultivating sugarcane on 30 decimals of land since 1990 and noted that there was no pest attack this year. In comparison, his profit last year was only Tk 40,000.

Another farmer, Abul Hossain of Nedamdi Mathavanga village, shared, "This season we have had a good harvest. We are getting excellent returns."

Enayetullah (55), a farmer from Baroani village, said he has been cultivating sugarcane for the past 22 years on 30 decimals of land. Rezaul Karim, another local farmer, confirmed that he also sells each stick at Tk 40-50.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Foysal Md Ali said that Mathavanga, Kolakanda, Hanirpar, Shikirchar, Baluchar, Chhoto Holdiya, Doshani, Lorairkandi, Nischintapur, Otarchar, Nandurkandi, Boro Holdiya, Mamruzkandi, and surrounding villages are the major sugarcane-producing areas in the upazila.

He added, "The sugarcane from Matlab Upazila is in high demand due to its superior taste. Traders from Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Daudkandi come in large numbers to purchase it from areas like Hanirpar."

Two traders - Moktar Hossain (42) from Dhaka and Shahen Shah (40) from Narayanganj - told the FE that the sugarcane from Matlab Uttar is tastier and more delicious, which is why they buy it in bulk to supply to different parts of Dhaka.

Foysal Md Ali further noted, "Five varieties of sugarcane have been produced here. We guided and motivated the farmers for proper cultivation. Additionally, the weather and soil conditions have been ideal, and there was no pest attack this year."

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, around 900 sugarcane growers in the upazila have produced approximately 13,640 tonnes of sugarcane across the 14 unions this season. Last year, sugarcane was cultivated on 180 hectares of land in the upazila.

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