An unknown virus is devastating sugarcane fields across Tangail district destroying crops just before harvest and leaving farmers facing immense financial ruin.
Despite favorable weather and a promising start to the season, the sudden outbreak is rotting the stems and stunting crop growth, particularly affecting the popular 'Ishwardi' variety.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), sugarcane was cultivated on 465 hectares of land in the district this season. However, the viral attack has caused market prices to plummet. Stunted sugarcane is now selling for a maximum of Tk 20 per piece down drastically from last year’s Tk 30 to Tk 50.
Local farmers, many of whom took loans to fund their cultivation are demanding urgent government compensation and complaining about a lack of institutional support. Affected farmer Sultan Kabir expressed frustration over the absence of effective pesticides and timely field-level intervention from the local agriculture office.
Another farmer, Dabir Uddin, noted that his yield halved from 2,400 to 1,200 pieces on his 33-decimal plot, severely slashing his expected income.
Shoaib Mahmud, Additional Deputy Director of the Tangail DAE confirmed the outbreak and acknowledged the farmers' plight.
"We are investigating the matter at the field level and advising farmers on how to manage the situation. Necessary actions will be taken once we determine the exact cause and extent of the infection" Mahmud stated.
