With the arrival of winter, demand for date palm juice surges across Bangladesh.
To meet this seasonal demand, date palm sap collectors, locally known as “gachhi”, in Kushtia are working hard collecting date juice and preparing molasses, a signature winter delicacy.
The Department of Agricultural Extension estimates that income from this sector will reach Tk40 lakh this season.
Date palm trees line the rural pathways and green fields of Kushtia, where collectors climb to the treetops in the afternoons to place earthen pitchers for collecting sap.
By dawn, these pitchers are lowered, and the sap is processed into molasses over burning stoves. Many residents also drink the fresh juice straight from the trees, savouring its natural sweetness.
Collectors from Bagha upazila in Rajshahi and Lalpur upazila in Natore have come to Kushtia for the seasonal date juice and molasses trade. For these collectors, the four-month winter harvest provides crucial income, helping them sustain themselves throughout the rest of the year.
“By selling molasses at Tk250 per kg, we hope to make a good profit this year after covering all expenses,” said Akmal Hossain, a collector involved in the trade.
Methopalli, located near Kushtia’s bypass road, has become a hub of activity.
More than 500 palm trees in the area are being tapped by collectors, and buyers from places like Dhaka visit every morning and evening to purchase unadulterated date palm juice and jaggery.
Customers enjoy fresh juice for Tk10 per glass and eagerly buy pure molasses, which is a prized item during winter.
Similarly, Daphadarpara village in Philipnagar union of Daulatpur upazila — popularly known as the "palm village" — has become another major centre of production.
Buyers flock here daily to purchase fresh date juice and unadulterated jaggery, contributing to the village’s growing reputation.
Kushtia boasts approximately 20,000 palm trees spread over 122 hectares of land, with an expected output of 200 tons of molasses this season.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Kushtia Sufi Mohammad Rafikuzzaman explained that the molasses, valued at around Tk40 lakh, not only meets local demand but is also supplied to other parts of the country and exported abroad.
He added: “We are providing farmers with necessary guidance to ensure the quality of the jaggery and streamline the marketing process.”
As a key winter ingredient, date juice and molasses hold significant cultural and culinary value in Bangladesh.
Experts suggest that expanding palm cultivation and ensuring proper maintenance could transform this seasonal industry into a profitable financial sector for the country.
