Gangachara Farmers Turn Abandoned Land Into Thriving Sugarcane Fields

Sugarcane is now grown widely in many unions of Gangachara upazila in Rangpur. Green sugarcane fills the wide fields in many parts of the upazila. Rows of cane plants have changed the look of the land. Farmers are showing more interest because the cost is fairly low and the price is good. Many farmers have already changed their lives through this success. Many have done well by growing cane on unused land near their homes or in their yards, apart from regular farmland. For many people, sugarcane has now become a source of extra income.

A visit to different areas of Gangachara last Saturday and Sunday showed that cane is grown widely, not only in Aladadpur village but in many other places. Most of it grows on unused land near homes or in yards. The fields are full of green leaves. Farmers said the cost of growing sugarcane is fairly low compared to many other crops. With proper care and a good yield, they can earn well from this crop.

Mr. Ziaur Rahman Zia, a farmer from Magura Sabujpara village in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari, dreams of success in sugarcane farming. He has already done well by growing cane on land near his house. He said he grew sugarcane on 80 decimals of land. He is happy with this work because the care and production cost is low and the market price is good. At present, one piece of sugarcane sells for 40 to 50 taka at retail.

Many farmers are now turning to sugarcane, just like Mr. Ziaur Rahman Zia. Farmers say that with a good yield and a fair price, they can earn a large profit even after paying the cost. Sugarcane has many uses. Apart from selling it directly, people can make sugar and jaggery from it. So the crop has demand in the market.

Farmers hope that sugarcane farming will grow further in this region if they get a fair price, better quality seedlings, and regular advice and help from the agriculture department. The field report shows that sugarcane is no longer just a crop. For many farmers, it has become a promising cash crop. Because they can grow it at low cost and get a good price, the way farmers live is changing.