RAJSHAHI, April 17, 2019 (BSS) – Successful promotion of modern technologies is very vital to boost sugarcane production in the region including its vast Barind tract to meet its gradually mounting demand.
Modern technologies developed by Bangladesh Sugar Crop Research Institute (BSRI) can be effective means of boosting sugarcane farming and its production as suggested by sugarcane scientists and researchers.
BSRI scientists and researchers made this observation while addressing a daylong farmers training titled “Application of Modern Technologies in Sugar Crop Production” hosted by Rajshahi Sub-station of BSRI at Shibgonj Upazila Office of Department of Agriculture Extension today.
More than 50 sugarcane farmers joined the training initiated by the BSRI’s project for strengthening its research activities.
Dr Akram Hossain Chowdhury, Chairman of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), addressed the training as chief guest with BSRI Principal Scientific Officer Dr Kohinur Begum in the chair.
It was also addressed, among others, by BMDA Executive Engineer Shafiqul Islam, Upazila Agriculture Officer SM Aminuzzaman and BSRI Scientific Officer HM Alamin.
Dr Akram Chowdhury says the region has enormous prospects of boosting sugarcane yield to expected level, but the potentials couldn’t be utilized due to multipurpose constraints. But the farmers have a vital role to boost production of the cash crop.
He recommended crop-rationing system so that the conventional crop diversification could be sustained.
In her remarks, Dr Kohinur Begum attributed that the sugar has vital role in the mental development of the young generation along with economic development of the nation.
In this regard, she said per 100 ml sugarcane juice contain 90.2g water, 0.1g protein, 0.2g fat, 9.1g carbohydrate, 0.4g mineral, 10mg calcium, 10mg phosphorus, 1.1mg iron, 6microgram carotene, 0.04mg riboflavin and 39 kilocalorie food energy.
“We have enormous prospect of getting the protein through substantial enhancement of the cash crop production that can help reduce family level protein deficiency,” Dr Begum added.
She added that regular in-take of sugar or molasses side by side with rice and other nutritious foods is very essential for human being especially the children for developing their intelligence power.
Dr Kohinur mentioned that more than 40 high yielding sugarcane varieties along with other necessary modern technologies have so far been innovated.
She also said importance is being given to disseminating and transferring those among the farmers through various motivational programmes like training and demonstration plots.