Jashore celebrates heritage with date molasses. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Nov 27, 2025 (BSS)-- Date palm sap collection and production of pure date molasses - traditional products of Jashore and the country's 22nd Geographical Indication (GI) item - were inaugurated today at the conference room of Abhaynagar upazila parishad.

Dr Md Omar Faruque, Rector (Secretary) of the Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy, attended the event as the chief guest.

He said Jashore's date molasses is an integral part of the region's heritage and is well known at home and abroad.

Training is being provided to tree tappers to ensure hygienic production and preservation, he added.

Molasses plays an important role in rural livelihoods and in the region's cultural heritage, which is gradually fading. He urged all concerned to protect date palm trees and encourage new plantations to keep the tradition alive.

Dr Md Omar Faruque later distributed cutting tools among 20 tree tappers.

Abhaynagar UNO Sheikh Salauddin Dipu presided over the programme, which was attended by officials from various government departments and local tree tappers.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Jashore has around 5 lakh date palm trees, producing 3,500 tonnes of molasses last year, of which 500 tonnes were exported.