Faridpur Correspondent: Industry Secretary Zakia Sultana said that initiatives have been taken to make the country’s sugar mills profitable. In sugar mills, instead of relying on sugar production alone, emphasis is being placed on making products using by-products. Thinking about joint ventures with local and foreign entrepreneurs is going on.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the meeting with sugarcane farmers, workers, and officials to increase quality sugarcane production and yield at the Fasumi Training Building of Faridpur Sugar Mill at Madhukhali in Faridpur district today. Chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation, Md. Arifur Rahman Apu, chaired the exchange meeting as a special guest. Deputy Commissioner of Faridpur, Md. Kamrul Ahsan Talukder, spoke. Shilpa Sachin said that many initiatives have been taken to bring back the good days of the sugar industry.
To encourage the farmers to grow sugarcane, the price of sugarcane has been increased to Tk 220 per sugarcane. In the upcoming 2023–24 season, Rs. 240 per maund will be paid. The government is providing good-quality sugarcane seeds and fertilizers to the farmers. Sugarcane prices are being paid to farmers at the fastest rate through development.
The increase in sugarcane production per acre was possible by piloting high-yielding sugarcane cultivation with the help of British American tobacco. He said that ‘Bandhu Seva’ apps have been launched, in which about 65 thousand sugarcane farmers are connected. Through this, the farmers are getting the necessary instructions. Sugarcane production is continuing in all the mill areas where sugarcane crushing operations have been suspended in the six sugar mills. Efforts are underway to further increase sugarcane production through better agricultural practices.
Initiatives have been taken to pay off the government’s debt or debt to the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industry Corporation, and necessary activities are underway to ensure that no interest is added to this debt year after year. As the country is progressing on the highway of development under the opportune leadership of the honorable Prime Minister, our overall activities will continue in order to move forward in all matters related to the Ministry of Industry, including the sugar industry.
Urging to turn the Faridpur Sugar Mill, established in 1974, into a profitable company, Timi said that this sugar mill was built by Bangabandhu. If everyone works together according to a proper plan, we hope to reach our goal.
