Fulbaria’s red sugar wins prestigious GI badge

Mahmuda Begum Sinthia :

Fulbaria’s traditional red sugar, a nearly 300-year-old product made from sugarcane pulp in Mymensingh’s Fulbaria, has officially received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition.

This GI honour acknowledges the unique heritage and quality of this hand-produced red sugar, enhancing its reputation both nationally and internationally.

The status is expected to boost market value, protect authenticity, and promote sustainable development for local farmers and producers. Production involves natural processes without chemicals, and the sugar is widely used in traditional sweet preparations.

Key details:
# The red sugar is produced using sugarcane grown in the red hilly soil of Fulbaria.

# It has been made traditionally since the British era and is noted for its natural flavour reflecting raw sugarcane.

# The GI recognition, Bangladesh’sproduct Fulbaria’s red sugar is expected to expand production, increase consumer awareness, and open export opportunities.

# Around 650 hectares are cultivated for sugarcane, yielding about 5,200 tonnes of red sugar annually worth about Tk 100 crore.

# Hundreds of farmers across multiple villages are engaged in the production, which uses traditional finishing methods.

# This recognition helps protect the identity of this heritage product and supports the agricultural economy of the region.

The history of Fulbaria’s red sugar is deeply linked with the fertile red-hilly soils of the region, where indigenous sugarcane has been cultivated since the British colonial era. Its production is a painstakingly manual process that honours age-old methods passed down through generations.

After harvesting, the sugarcane juice is carefully extracted and boiled without any chemicals or artificial additives, resulting in a reddish-brown sugar that carries the essence of its raw source.

Villagers use traditional clay pots and wooden tools known locally as dingi and dang to finalise the sugar’s texture and flavor, ensuring a product that remains faithful to its roots.

Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan at a programme in recent month put emphasis on enriching the list of Geographical Indication (GI) status of Bangladeshi products commercially.

“The GI products cherish our history and tradition and total 55 products have already received GI recognition and so fair recognition and remuneration must be ensured for the marketers of these products”.

Surprisingly, the GI status of Bangladesh’s product Fulbaria’s red sugar is a key record changer of this time and so the vivid expectation is to expand its production, increase consumer awareness, and open export opportunities.

The GI badge serves as more than just a label of authenticity; it is an emblem of economic hope and cultural preservation. With around 650 hectares dedicated to sugarcane farming, the region produces approximately 5,200 tonnes of red sugar annually, valued at about Tk 100 crore. This recognition safeguards the identity of Fulbaria’s red sugar, protecting it from imitation while encouraging sustainable agriculture and fair market prices for small-scale farmers.

Fulbaria’s success shines a light on the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship and rural livelihoods in an increasingly industrialised world.
The GI certification of the red sugar’s reputation is poised to expand beyond Bangladesh’s borders, inviting the world to savour a sweet taste of the country’s rich heritage and the enduring spirit of its people.

Fulbaria’s red sugar authenticity is not only a matter of regional pride, tradition, and history but also a milestone shining on the global stage.