The winter season has brought bustling activity to the production of date palm molasses in Rajshahi's Bagha upazila, a region renowned for this traditional sweetener.
Officials estimate that the production of date palm molasses could contribute approximately tk 25 crore to government revenue this season.
Bagha upazila, with two municipalities and seven unions, is home to over 30,000 farming families and around 150,000 date palm trees. These trees are cultivated across roadside lands, fallow plots and homesteads. Approximately 4,000 skilled gachhis (date sap collectors) are actively extracting sap daily, with each collector tapping around 50 to 55 trees.
Farmers typically hire gachhis to tap their trees during the season, with the collected sap being processed into molasses. The primary markets for this molasses are Bagha and Arani, along with smaller markets in Manigram and Digha. Among these, Bagha Market is the most prominent, holding major trading sessions every Sunday and Thursday.
During the peak of the season, molasses is sold at rates ranging from 130 to 160 Taka per kilogram, with prices reaching as high as 200 Taka per kilogram at the beginning of the season. Despite a slight price drop as production increases, molasses remains a lucrative product for both farmers and traders.
Enamul Haque, proprietor of Bhai Bhai Enterprise in Bagha, estimated that molasses sales could reach 45-50 crore Taka this season, benefiting producers and traders alike.
Shafiullah Sultan, the Upazila Agriculture Officer, highlighted the potential for increased profitability through government support. "Currently, there are 35 hectares of land with date palm trees in the region. If commercial production is supported through government initiatives, the molasses industry could become even more lucrative," he said.
Sultan further emphasized the possibility of exporting molasses internationally, which could not only increase revenues for local producers but also generate significant foreign income for the government.
As the winter progresses, the traditional craft of molasses production continues to thrive, providing livelihoods for thousands and highlighting the potential of this age-old industry in modern markets.
