Black Sugarcane brings new hope for farmers in Gazipur

As rising production costs and declining profits push many farmers away from traditional sugarcane cultivation, a new cane variety is gaining attention in Bangladesh, offering fresh hope for growers and the country’s struggling sugar industry.

Locally known as “Black Sugarcane” or “Black Ruby”, the Philippines Black Sugarcane has been officially released by the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI) as BSRI Akh 49.

Field-level research by the Research and Development Division of Bashundhara Agro Chemical Industries Limited (BACIL) in Kaliakair, Gazipur, indicates that scientific cultivation methods can significantly increase its yield while keeping production costs relatively low.

The success has generated fresh interest among farmers, agricultural researchers and private-sector investors, particularly in the commercial market for chewing and juice-producing sugarcane.

Sugarcane has long been cultivated in Gazipur, particularly for molasses and direct consumption. According to Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sugarcane were cultivated on 1,603 hectares of land in the district this year.

Kapasia has the largest area under the cultivation on 1,220 hectares, followed by Sreepur 189 hectares, Gazipur Sadar 100 hectares, Kaliganj 60 hectares and Kaliakair 34 hectares of land.

Among existing varieties, Ishwardi-16 occupies the largest area at 542 hectares. Popular chewing varieties include BSRI Akh 41 (Amrit), cultivated on 384 hectares, BSRI Akh 42 (Rangbilash) on 329 hectares and BSRI Akh 47 on 150 hectares.

BSRI Akh 49 (Black Sugarcane) is now adding a distinctive new dimension to this landscape. Its dark purple-to-black appearance, soft stalk, high juice content and ease of chewing have attracted considerable interest from both farmers and consumers.

BACIL began experimental cultivation of the variety in January 2025 on a 20-decimal at Sakashwar Madhyapara research farm in Kaliakair. The project forms part of the company’s broader agricultural research and crop-diversification programme.

Faisal Ahmed, who is responsible for the field research, said the project achieved notable results by introducing a modified planting technique.

Under conventional methods, sugarcane seedlings are generally planted two to three feet apart. BACIL, however, reduced the plant-to-plant distance to 1–1.5 feet, while maintaining three feet between rows. This allows approximately 3,500–4,000 cuttings or seedlings per bigha, nearly double of the conventional density.

Despite the increased plant population, researchers observed no significant adverse effect on stalk height or diameter. Instead, yields reportedly doubled under proper management.

The cane reaches 10–11 feet within eight months and grows to around 13–15 feet after 12 months. Regular removal of old lower leaves every 10–14 days, leaving six to eight healthy leaves, helps maintain plant health and supports rapid growth.

Loamy and clay-loam soils are considered suitable, with January-February and September-October identified as favourable planting periods. Another advantage is that vegetables and other short-duration crops can be cultivated between the cane rows without significantly affecting production. The variety also requires relatively little pesticide use.

Dr Nilufar Islam, Chief Scientific Officer and Officer-in-Charge of the BSRI Gazipur Regional Office, said the variety popularly known as Black Sugarcane is officially BSRI Akh 49, developed and approved by BSRI.

She explained that the variety is primarily suitable for chewing and juice production, rather than commercial sugar or molasses manufacturing.

For direct consumption, however, BSRI Akh 49 has significant advantages. Its outer skin and nodes are relatively soft, making the cane easy to chew. Its maximum average yield can reach 171 tonnes per hectare.

Researchers also report the presence of antioxidants, flavonoids and minerals including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, zinc and iron in the sugarcane.

The economic prospects are perhaps the most attractive aspect of the variety. Field estimates suggest that cultivation costs—including seedlings, land preparation and maintenance—range between Tk60,000 and Tk70,000 per bigha.

A farmer can reportedly harvest 15–18 tonnes of cane per bigha, with an estimated market value of Tk170,000–180,000. According to the field calculation, this can generate a net profit of roughly Tk100,000–150,000 in the first year, depending on production and market prices.

After harvesting the variety, 10–15 new shoots can emerge from each harvested clump. Consequently, farmers may obtain second- and third-year crops without bearing the same initial expenses for land preparation and planting materials.

According to project-level estimates, net returns could rise to approximately Tk200,000–320,000 per bigha in the second and third years, subject to yield, management and market prices.

MZ Hossain Arzu, Head of the company’s Research and Development Division, said Bashundhara Group is planning commercial cultivation on around 400 bighas after completing further trials.

The proposed business model includes fresh cane marketing as well as processing the crop into juice, premium molasses and paper-industry raw materials. Bottled cane juice and processed products could potentially be exported to international markets.

Kaliakair Assistant Agricultural Officer Suraiya Sultana said she personally visited BACIL’s research field and tasted the cane.

“It is extremely sweet, soft and juicy. It is undoubtedly an excellent chewing variety,” she said, adding that its ability to produce crops for three consecutive years with comparatively low costs and labour could improve farmers’ livelihoods.

She said the DAE was providing farmers with technical guidance, including advice on cultivation practices and pest and disease management. Despite the promising results, wider commercial expansion will require institutional support.

With appropriate government-private sector cooperation, farmer training, quality planting materials and reliable marketing and processing infrastructure, BSRI Akh 49 could become more than an alternative sugarcane variety, she said.