Massive sugarcane cultivation drive undertaken in CHT

RANGAMATI, May 18 (BSS): A massive sugarcane cultivation programme has been taken by the Directorate of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in the three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region in the current season.
The DAE found that the cash crop, which has a high demand in the region and outside, could yield good profit with less production and labour cost.
Farmers in Kaptai, Kaukhali, Razasthali, Naniarchor, Langadu and Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati district, Dighinala, Panchhari, Mohalchhari, Matiranga, Luxmichhari upazila of Khagrachhari district and majority of all seven upazila of Bandarbun are expecting a bumper output of the crop this year as they are now growing sugarcane in a scientific method in consultation and logistic support of DAE, said cultivators and sources of DAE.
A total of 2, 300 hectare of land brought under sugarcane cultivation in three-hill districts-Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarbun-in the current season against the target of 2, 700 hectare, said the sources of DAE.
Of the total 2, 300 hectares, taking the advantage of plainness of the land, sugarcane was cultivated on highest 1, 200 hectare in Bandarbun against the target of 1, 500 hectares with a output target of 4, 800 tonnes at the rate of four tonnes per hectare, followed by Khagrachhari on 750 hectares of land against the target of 800 hectares, said the sources.
Rangamati fixed the production target on 350 hectares in the current season.
Farmers of the three hill districts are expected to achieve an output of 9, 200 tonnes of sugarcane in the current season that may bring them a lucrative price, said DAE training officer Tarun Bhattacharya.
Four tonnes of sugarcane, mainly of two varieties, C-20 and gandari, produced on a hectare of land is being sold at Tk. 1, 20, 000 in the local markets now, Tarun said.
Dozens of teenagers are found selling sugarcane cut pieces to bus passengers traveling to and from each of the CHT district headquarters everyday.
Ethnic people get benefit
Another BSS report says: Farming of vegetables and fruits has changed the life style of the ethnic people at Pharua, a small hamlet surrounded by hillocks and Kaptai Lake under Bilaichhari upazila of the district.
In the past, the people of this locality, majority of them are have-nots somehow used to survive by cultivating jhum and planting teak for the forest department.
They could not produce any kind of vegetable and fruit because of the restriction imposed by the forest department on their production.
But cultivation of ginger, turmeric, banana and different varieties of fruit following lifting of the ban on their production has opened a window of new opportunities to improve their standard of living. Vegetables and fruits they produce now find ways to different markets at upazila and district headquarters as well as Kaptai.