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By Ashraful Islam Joy
Sirajganj, renowned for its high-quality, adulteration-free jaggery produced from locally grown sugarcane, is expecting another strong harvest this season despite pest and disease attacks in some areas.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said nearly 800 hectares of land have been brought under sugarcane cultivation this season against a target of 815 hectares. The crop has been cultivated across all nine upazilas of the district, including Sirajganj Sadar, Ullapara, Shahzadpur, Raiganj, Tarash, Belkuchi, Kazipur, Kamarkhand and Chauhali.
While crop growth has been satisfactory in most fields, infestations of mealybugs, whiteflies and fungal diseases have been reported in several areas, raising concerns among farmers.
Abdul Malek, a sugarcane farmer from Ullapara, said he cultivated sugarcane on four bighas of land this year. Although mealybugs affected some plants, the situation has improved after applying pesticides as advised by agricultural officials. He remains optimistic about a good harvest if weather conditions remain favourable.
Another farmer, Saiful Islam of Shahzadpur, said whiteflies had damaged some fields, but regular care and technical support from the agriculture department were helping farmers manage the problem. He added that good market prices would ensure profitability.
Farmers said sugarcane is one of the district’s major cash crops and supports the livelihoods of thousands of families. During the harvesting season, numerous jaggery-processing units operate across the district, creating employment for hundreds of workers. Any decline in production would therefore affect not only growers but also jaggery producers and labourers.
The DAE said it has introduced special incentives for sugarcane cultivation for the first time this season. Farmers are receiving support for cultivating improved varieties, adopting modern farming practices and controlling pests and diseases through regular field-level technical assistance.
AKM Monjure Maola, deputy director of the Sirajganj DAE, said the presence of mealybugs, whiteflies and fungal diseases had been detected in some areas but the outbreak had not reached a serious level. He said the pests could be effectively controlled through approved pesticides and proper crop management.
He expressed optimism that favourable weather and timely care would ensure the expected sugarcane yield this season and help increase the production of Sirajganj’s traditional pure jaggery.
According to the agriculture department, most of the district’s sugarcane is used for jaggery production. Cultivation of the popular chewing cane variety, Rong Bilash, has also increased this season due to strong market demand, with farmers expecting attractive returns.