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Farmers and artisans in villages along the Jamuna River in Sirajganj are busy producing traditional sugarcane molasses as winter approaches, but lower yields and rising production costs have raised concerns over profitability.
The molasses-making season is now in full swing in Khokshabari, Chongacha and Panchthakuri areas of Sirajganj Sadar upazila, as well as in different parts of Ullapara, Shahjadpur and Kamarkhanda upazilas.
The process begins with harvesting sugarcane from fields and crushing it in machines to extract juice. The juice is then boiled in large iron pans over traditional earthen stoves for around two to two and a half hours.
Once the juice thickens, it is cooled and manually shaped into different forms to produce the sweet molasses, a popular winter delicacy.
Mokhlesur Rahman, a sugarcane farmer from Parpachil village in Chongacha Union, said they begin producing molasses every year ahead of winter.
“Sugarcane yields are slightly lower this year, while labour, crushing and fuel costs have increased,” he said.
Despite the challenges, farmers are continuing production, considering the demand for molasses. They would benefit if they received fair prices for their products, he added.
Mohammad Selim, a wholesale molasses trader from the same village, said locally produced molasses is in demand in various districts.
Molasses collected from the area is supplied to markets in Dhaka, Sarishabari and Islampur in Jamalpur, and different markets in Tangail, he said, adding that buyers show greater interest when the quality is good.
According to farmers, a bigha of good-quality sugarcane is currently selling for Tk50,000-Tk55,000, while medium-quality sugarcane fetches Tk30,000-Tk35,000. Lower-quality sugarcane sells for around Tk10,000 per bigha.
Molasses is currently priced at around Tk2,800 per maund.
Mohammad Rezaul Haque, additional deputy director (crops) at the Department of Agricultural Extension in Sirajganj, said the district has set a sugarcane cultivation target of 800 hectares for the current season.
The department is advising farmers on controlling sugarcane diseases and pests and encouraging them to produce molasses, he said.
Agriculture experts believe that wider cultivation of improved sugarcane varieties, lower production costs and fair prices could help expand Sirajganj’s traditional molasses industry.