Photo : BSS

MANIKGANJ, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS) - Sugarcane cultivation in Manikganj district has exceeded the target set for the current season, according to sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

DAE officials said that the target was set to bring 510 hectares of land under sugarcane cultivation with an estimated production target of 25,245 metric tons across all seven upazilas of the district. However, farmers have cultivated sugarcane on 524 hectares of land, surpassing the target.

The highest amount of sugarcane has been cultivated in Singair upazila, where the soil is particularly favorable for sugarcane farming, said Dr Robiah Noor Ahmed, Deputy Director of the DAE, Manikganj.

She added that more than 80 percent of the total sugarcane in the district is grown in Singair upazila.

Farmers in Singair stated that sugarcane cultivation is highly profitable. In addition to sugarcane, they also grow other seasonal crops like radish, chickpeas, vegetables, and onions between the rows of sugarcane, enabling double cropping on the same land during the same season.

Although there is no sugar mill in Manikganj, most of the harvested sugarcane is transported to different parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka, for processing and sale.

Currently, sugarcane is being sold widely across local markets, roadside stalls, and village fairs. The juice, crushed on-site using machines, remains a popular refreshing drink across the district.

Small traders have engaged in this seasonal business from May, and it is expected to continue through November to December, DAE sources added.