The vibrant and juice-filled sugarcane variety known as "Rang Bilash" is bringing significant profits to farmers in Natore this season. Across 109 hectares of land, farmers cultivated this chewable sugarcane, producing an estimated 1,050 tons of juice. The crop has proven highly profitable, with increasing demand both locally and from traders outside the district.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, cultivation has been concentrated in three upazilas of the Chalan Beel region. Of the 109 hectares, 61 hectares were farmed in Baraigram, 45 hectares in Gurudaspur, and 3 hectares in Singra. Officials believe the soil, water, and climate of Chalan Beel are particularly suitable for this sugarcane variety.
Golam Rasul, a farmer from Mahishbhanga village in Baraigram who has cultivated Rang Bilash for three decades, said he has already prepared 1,000 seedlings for the next season. He explained that sugarcane remains on the land throughout the year, requiring regular care and monitoring against fungal attacks. This year, he cultivated sugarcane on three bighas of land, selling the yield from two bighas for Tk 4 lakh. Traders from outside Natore purchased directly from his fields. He added that 100 canes sell from Tk 2,500 to Tk 5,000, while in retail markets, prices range from Tk 30 to Tk 70 per piece.
Another farmer, Robiul Karim, explained that after planting sugarcane, he grows companion crops like garlic or onion. From one bigha, farmers can harvest 25 to 30 maunds of garlic or up to 40 maunds of onion, covering the production costs of sugarcane. As a result, income from sugarcane sales becomes pure profit. Using this intercropping method, farmers can earn as much as Tk 2 lakh per bigha.
Golam Rasul also experimented this year by planting fragrant Aman paddy in fields where sugarcane had been harvested early. While sugarcane usually occupies the land for 10 months, the two-month gap allowed him to test rice cultivation. Farmers are also considering growing mung beans alongside garlic and onion as companion crops.
Selim Reza, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of Bonpara block, said around 300 bighas of land in his area have been planted with Rang Bilash this season, and the intercropping method has proven highly profitable. Baraigram Upazila Agriculture Officer Sajib Al Maruf confirmed that sugarcane farming is strengthening the financial position of local farmers, with the agriculture department providing necessary guidance.
Habibul Islam Khan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, told BSS that farmers in Chalan Beel are benefiting greatly from Rang Bilash cultivation. He predicted that this chewable sugarcane would soon become one of the region’s most important cash crops.
