Rajshahi Sugar Mill Targets 3,700 Tonnes of Production as Sugarcane Farmers Inspired by PM’s Incentive
The 62nd sugarcane crushing season of Rajshahi Sugar Mills has officially commenced for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with authorities setting a target to produce 3,700 metric tons of sugar by crushing 70,000 metric tons of sugarcane. Advocate Mohammad Shafiqul Haque Milon, Member of Parliament for Rajshahi-3 and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources, inaugurated the season on Friday afternoon, November 13, by feeding sugarcane into the cane carrier on the mill premises. According to mill authorities, crushing operations have begun using cane harvested by 5,619 registered farmers across 5,544 acres of land, aiming to make a substantial contribution to national sugar production.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, MP Milon stated that Rajshahi Sugar Mills has long played a pivotal role in keeping North Bengal’s agriculture and rural economy vibrant. He emphasized that ensuring technical efficiency alongside boosting sugarcane cultivation is essential to making the mill profitable and sustainable. Noting that the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, workers, and their families depend on the sugar industry, MP Milon called for coordinated efforts to develop the mill while strictly safeguarding the interests of everyone associated with it in his constituency.
Commenting on the political landscape, MP Milon criticized the previous administration, alleging that murders, enforced disappearances, and looting occurred during its tenure before an authoritarian ruler was forced to flee amid public resistance. He alleged that Awami League leaders are now issuing threats from abroad via social media and YouTube, and demanded justice for the February 25, 2009 Pilkhana army officer killings as well as the disappearances of figures including BNP leader Ilias Ali. Identifying himself and his colleagues as followers of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman working under the directives of Tarique Rahman, he stated that they fear neither imprisonment, oppression, nor death, and urged vigilance ahead of December, the month of victory.
The inaugural event was presided over by Masuma Akter Jahan, Managing Director of Rajshahi Sugar Mills Limited, with BSFIC Secretary Md. Mujibur Rahman, Joint Secretary Md. Saifur Rahman Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Belayet Hossain, and Paba Upazila BNP Convener Ali Hossain attending as special guests. Before the inauguration, MP Milon toured various units of the mill and distributed awards to local sugarcane growers during a discussion meeting before the program concluded with a special prayer.
Meanwhile, local growers have been significantly encouraged by recent government support following a public rally at the Haji Muhammad Mohsin High School ground in Rajshahi on October 20. At that event, presided over by BNP Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman disbursed Tk 12 crore in incentives directly to the mobile accounts of 38,970 sugarcane farmers in the Rajshahi region and formally handed over checks to 15 recipients, further boosting enthusiasm for the ongoing crushing season.
