Marginal farmers of Tanchangya Para in Chandraghona union under Kaptai upazila have achieved remarkable success in sugarcane cultivation in the hilly terrains. Photo : BSS

RANGAMATI, Sept 2, 2025 (BSS) - Marginal farmers of Tanchangya Para in Chandraghona union under Kaptai upazila have achieved remarkable success in sugarcane cultivation in the hilly terrains, a special initiative under the Sugar Crop Strengthening Project implemented by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB).

For the first time in the region, sugarcane was cultivated across nine plots in the Silk Garden area of Chandraghona union. The initiative aims to diversify agricultural practices and enhance the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in remote hilly areas, where traditional farming faces numerous challenges due to terrain and infrastructure limitations.

During a visit to the area on Tuesday morning, lush rows of mature sugarcane plants were seen swaying in the breeze - a visual testament to the success of the pilot initiative. Farmers, who had long relied on limited subsistence crops, are now harvesting and selling their produce directly to local traders.

Mayadevi Tanchangya, one of the beneficiaries of the project, shared her success story with BSS. "I cultivated sugarcane on 60 decimals of land under the project's guidance. Traders are coming directly to our plots and buying sugarcane at Taka 22 to 25 per piece. I have already sold a significant amount and made a good profit," she said with visible satisfaction.

Echoing her experience to BSS, another farmer, Iti Tanchangya, said, "This year, I cultivated sugarcane on about 1 acre of land. The yield has been very encouraging. This success has given us new hope. I plan to expand sugarcane farming next season."

Officials involved in the project said that the BSRI Akh-42 (Rang Bilas) variety, developed by the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), was introduced in the region under the project. This particular variety has shown strong adaptability to hilly soil and climatic conditions.

Dhaneshwar Tanchangya, consultant of the Sugar Crop Strengthening Project under CHTDB, told BSS, "This project is aimed at promoting alternative cash crops like sugarcane in the hilly regions, which are often left out of mainstream agricultural development programs. We are focusing on training farmers, providing quality seeds, and ensuring market linkage."

He said that the initiative has already started to show positive outcomes. "Many farmers have taken up sugarcane cultivation on their own initiative after seeing their neighbors succeed. It has created a ripple effect. Our goal is to continue this momentum and expand sugarcane farming across more remote villages in the Chittagong Hill Tracts."

The consultant further added that the project is not only helping farmers earn more, but also promoting sustainable land use practices, encouraging community-based farming, and reducing dependency on single-crop cultivation.

Local agricultural officials noted that successful sugarcane cultivation in the hills may open new avenues for agro-based entrepreneurship, including small-scale processing units, juice production, and value-added products, which could significantly contribute to the local economy.

With the initial success of the pilot plots, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board plans to scale up the project in the coming years, ensuring more marginal farmers in remote regions can benefit from high-value crop cultivation.