Intercropping with sugarcane gains popularity

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute of Ishwardi is working on the profitable technology of companion crops with sugarcane under the theme of ‘No more sugarcane, instead of companion crops’.

By expanding this technology in 15 sugar mill areas of the country, pulses, spices and vegetables are being produced as side crops with sugarcane.

Although the ‘Sathi’ method may sound new, the popularity of intercropping with sugarcane in Ishwardi is increasing day by day.

Farmers are getting involved in this method due to better production at low cost. Farmers here are also dreaming of good yield in companion crop cultivation with sugarcane.

Sugarcane is a long term crop. Farmers were losing interest in sugarcane cultivation due to lack of immediate money.

In order to improve the quality of life of farmers and support them, the Bangladesh Sugar Crop Research Institute has started this project from the last financial year 2021-22.

The three-year project is called ‘Pulse, Spices and Vegetables Crop Production Project as Companion Crops with Sugarcane’.

Farmers are now being encouraged to grow companion crops with sugarcane due to this project.

Besides, new possibilities have been created with the sugarcane industry. The project has already created a huge response among the farmers.

Sugarcrop Research Institute officials said that sugarcane is a very important cash crop used in food and industry in Bangladesh which stays in the land for about 12-13 months.

Farmers have lost interest in sugarcane cultivation due to non-increase in sugarcane prices compared to other crops.

The amount of land for sugarcane cultivation is also decreasing which has an impact on the country’s sugar industry.

Therefore, schemes have been taken up to protect the farmers and the industry by intercropping short-term crops with sugarcane for ra from adverse effects on the sugarcane crop.

Beans, gram, lentil, mung bean, potato, coppice, onion, garlic are cultivated as companion crops along with sugarcane.

Project Director Dr. Abu Taher Sohail said that the project is going on in 15 sugar mill areas.

In the 2022-23 season, about eight hundred farmers’ lands are covered with exhibition plots.

Farmers are satisfied with the plots.

Efforts will be made to continue this project in the future. He also said that in sugarcane cultivation, the empty space between two rows remains unused.

The main aim of the project is to make the farmers financially profitable by cultivating pulses, potatoes, spices and vegetables as companion crops on the vacant land.

Hasem Ali, a farmer of the old Ishwardi area, said, “I have grown lentil, potato and coriander along with sugarcane as companion crops. Last year also benefited from this scheme. I hope to be able to be more profitable than that this time.