Sugar industry to bounce back soon: Zakia

The sugar industry in Bangladesh will turn around soon as the government is trying to increase production and reduce imports as per instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana said on Saturday.

She said innovating high-yielding sugar cane, increasing its price, providing technical support and other incentives to the growers have been encouraged to cultivate sugar cane again.

Zakia said this while talking to reporters after visiting the exhibition fields of Mobarakganj Sugar Mill in Jhenaidah and Carew and Co (Bangladesh) Limited at Darshana in Chuadanga under the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), a press release said.

“We have taken several measures to take forward this promising industry while the model project of BAT Bangladesh is one of those,” she said.

“If such measures are implemented nationwide, I believe the marginal farmers will be inspired to grow sugar cane, which will lead to the revival of our sugar mills,” Zakia added.

The BSFIC jointly with British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BAT Bangladesh) has set up demonstration sugar cane fields on 30.25 acres, read the release.

BSFIC Chairman Md Arifur Rahman Apu, BAT Bangladesh Chairman Golam Mainuddin, sugar mill officials and local sugar cane farmers were present, among others.