Date juice extractionbegins in Rangpur

Our Correspondent RANGPUR Nov 16: The extraction of date juice has started in full swing in different parts of Rangpur district. People of the region extract juice from date trees every year during the winter. The season brings a festive mood among the village people. To celebrate harvesting of new Aus and Aman paddy villagers organise the 'Nabannaya Utsab'. Housewives prepare various kinds of Pitha (rice cakes) and "Payesh" with date juice. Pitha and molasses are very popular in the region. Shabu Miah (30), an extractor of date juice or "Gachhi" at Chikli village under Taraganj upazila in the district told FE it costs him Tk. 40 to 50 to prepare one Kg of molasses which sells at Tk 55 to 65. In several upazilas such as Mithapukur, Taraganj, Kownia and Badarganj and also in the town area of the district 'Patali Gur' is prepared with date juice. While visiting some upazilas of Rangpur district this correspondent found a huge quantity of molasses prices of which ranged between Tk 70 and 80 per kg.