Low production costs and higher returns are encouraging more farmers in Madaripur to cultivate sugarcane, as the crop continues to fetch good prices in local markets.
Once widely cultivated across all five upazilas of the district, sugarcane farming had declined as farmers turned away from the long-duration crop. However, rising production costs of rice, jute and pulses, uncertainty over market prices and losses from natural disasters have pushed many farmers back towards sugarcane.
Farmers in Rajoir, Shibchar, Kalkini, Dasar and Madaripur Sadar upazilas are now showing renewed interest in the crop due to lower risks and better profitability. The Department of Agricultural Extension is also encouraging farmers through incentives and technical support.
This year, farmers have cultivated sugarcane on 467 hectares of land across the district. Sajem Matubbar, a farmer from Chhilarchar village in Madaripur Sadar, said he invested Tk25,000 in sugarcane cultivation and earned a profit of Tk4 lakh.
“I am very happy as sugarcane farming has brought me good returns,” he said.
Shahidul Akon, a farmer from Amgram area of Rajoir, said he previously cultivated jute, black gram and mustard but struggled with high labour requirements.
“After planting sugarcane, I do not need to work as hard as before. I sell the crop at different markets and support my family well,” he said.
Farmers Abed Ali, Israfil and Soleman said disease attacks were lower this year compared with the previous season, prompting them to expand sugarcane cultivation.
Madaripur Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Rahima Khatun said the district had strong potential for sugarcane farming despite having no sugar mill.
“Sugarcane juice and molasses from this area are very popular. This year, sugarcane farmers have been brought under incentive programmes. With new opportunities emerging, many farmers have engaged in sugarcane cultivation,” she said.
She added that farmers were receiving regular advice on cultivation methods and were benefiting by producing molasses and selling sugarcane directly in retail markets.
Agriculture officials said favourable weather conditions had kept disease outbreaks low this year, raising hopes that farmers would receive good prices and higher profits.
