Photo : BSS

By Bipul Ashraf

CHUADANGA, Nov 8, 2025 (BSS) - As autumn slowly fades into winter, farmers across Chuadanga district have become busy preparing around 2.7 lakh date palm trees for the upcoming sap collection season - a time that marks the start of sweet molasses production, one of rural Bengal's most cherished winter traditions.

The mild sunshine, dew-laden mornings, and light fog in the air signal that the season of date sap and jaggery is near.

Across the district's four upazilas, farmers are seen pruning, cleaning, and preparing their trees for tapping. After drying the trees and installing canes during the month of Kartik, preparations for sap collection are now in full swing. Around 10,000 to 15,000 farmers are engaged in this traditional seasonal occupation.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Chuadanga currently has 271,960 date palm trees. From each tree, farmers can produce 10 to 12 kilograms of molasses, and the department has set a target of 2,500 metric tons of date molasses for this season.

Local sources said the onset of winter in rural areas is traditionally marked by the extraction of date sap. At present, farmers are pruning and cleaning the trees, and within a few weeks-when winter's chill deepens-the collection of the sweet sap will begin. In areas with large clusters of date palms, temporary work stations have already been set up, and farmers are drying branches to use as fuel for molasses production.

Shahin Ali, a grower from Satghari village in Chuadanga municipality, said, "We have started pruning and cleaning about 120 trees. The work of installing drains will begin in two weeks. Once pruned, a tree yields sap for three to four days, after which it needs to be dried again. As winter progresses, we will collect more sap and produce jaggery throughout the month of Falgun."

Similarly, Asadul Hossain from Gopinathpur said, "I've prepared 40 trees this year. In ten days, we'll start installing the drains, and sap collection should begin by the last week of November. I expect to produce 10-12 kilograms of jaggery per tree."

Delwar Hossain of Dhuturhat village added that he has already finished preparing 140 trees. "We will start collecting sap from the beginning of Agrahayan. If the winter is long and cold, molasses production will be good this year. We usually sell our jaggery at Sarojganj market," he said.

Sarojganj Bazar, known as the most traditional molasses market in Chuadanga, has also geared up for the season. Farmers from all over the district bring their molasses here, and the market has a reputation for selling pure, high-quality products. Last year, molasses sold for Taka 220-280 per kilogram, while patali (solid jaggery) fetched around Taka 300 per kilogram.

Masudur Rahman Sarkar, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said the district met its production target last year and expects similar success this season. "If the intensity of winter increases, farmers will be able to produce better quality molasses," he said.

He also urged farmers to protect the date sap from birds and bats to maintain hygiene and ensure pure production. Additionally, he warned against adulteration in jaggery preparation.

With favorable weather and the dedication of farmers, Chuadanga's sweet winter tradition is set to bring both flavor and livelihood to the region once again.