Extraction of date palm juice begins in Jhenidah

Sweet date palm juice and molasses are one of the most awaited products of winter in Bangladesh. At this time of the year, a group of people, known as "gachhi", employ themselves to extract the juice from date palm trees. In fact, extraction of the juice has started in full swing in Jhenidah.

Hamza Mia (50), a veteran gachhi of Bangkira village under Sadar upazila, said that they work very hard to extract juice from date palm trees throughout winter. They earn substantial amounts of money during this period.

Muslem Biswas, another gaachhi of Polianpur village under Moheshpur upazila, said the age-old weather pattern is changing gradually because of climate change. "It's telling on the trees and affecting the traditional livelihood of rural people," he added.

A gachhi cuts a part of a date palm tree and then fixes a bamboo pipe there to collect juice. The juice flows through the pipe into an earthen pot throughout the night and is collected the next morning. The juice is either sold raw or molasses is prepared from it.

Five litres of juice are needed to prepare a kg of molasses, which sells for Tk. 80–100, depending on the quality of the juice.

Nabiullah, a gachhi of Chutlia village under Sadar upazila, said the collection of juice during winter keeps the rural economy vibrant. Blacksmiths make necessary tools, including the “gachhi dao”, needed for the trimming of date palm trees. Potters make clay pots used to hold the juice, while iron workshops make various sizes of tin-made flat jars in which the juice is boiled.  "I earn around Tk. 350–400 a day by selling juice," Nabiullah said.

This correspondent visited Khalishpur bazaar and Zinnanogor bazaar of Moheshpur upazila, Borobazaar and Rakhalgachi of Kaliganj upazila, Sabdalpur bazaar and Elangi bazaar of Kotchandpur upazila, Joradah and Narayanpur bazaar of Harinakundo upazila, Garagong bazaar and Monohorpur of Shailkupa upazila, and Holidhani bazaar and Goalpara bazaar of Jhenidah Sadar upazila. It was found that over 4,000 gachhis are busy extracting juice from date palm trees in these areas.

This year, gachhis are charging a higher rate than other years. They have taken Tk. 100–130 for trimming a tree.

Abul Kalam of Harinakundo upazila, the owner of 400 date palm trees, said: "I have the trees on six bighas of land. My income is Tk. 7–8 lakh from the orchard every year. A date palm tree gives us juice, cooking materials, molasses and moulded blocks of jaggery."

"The owner of a tree has to spend only Tk. 50–100 for a tree," he added.

Jhenidah DAE sources said that there are over 61,000 date palm trees in six upazilas of the district.

Shankar Kumar Majumdar, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Jhenidah, said that date palm trees grow abundantly in these areas due to favorable climate. Juice extraction will continue till the end of the winter season, he added.

Jhenidah and its adjoining areas are famous for palm juice and molasses.

 

Extraction of date palm juice begins in Jhenidah

Sweet date palm juice and molasses are one of the most awaited products of winter in Bangladesh. At this time of the year, a group of people, known as gachhi, employ themselves to extract the juice from date palm trees. In fact, extraction of the juice has started in full swing in Jhenidah. Hamza Mia (50), a veteran gachhi of Bangkira village under Sadar upazila, said that they work very hard to extract juice from date palm trees throughout winter. They earn substantial amounts of money during this period. Muslem Biswas, another gaachhi of Polianpur village under Moheshpur upazila, said the age-old weather pattern is changing gradually because of climate change. Its telling on the trees and affecting the traditional livelihood of rural people, he added. A gachhi cuts a part of a date palm tree and then fixes a bamboo pipe there to collect juice. The juice flows through the pipe into an earthen pot throughout the night and is collected the next morning. The juice is either sold raw or molasses is prepared from it. Five litres of juice are needed to prepare a kg of molasses, which sells for Tk. 80100, depending on the quality of the juice. Nabiullah, a gachhi of Chutlia village under Sadar upazila, said the collection of juice during winter keeps the rural economy vibrant. Blacksmiths make necessary tools, including the gachhi dao, needed for the trimming of date palm trees. Potters make clay pots used to hold the juice, while iron workshops make various sizes of tin-made flat jars in which the juice is boiled. I earn around Tk. 350400 a day by selling juice, Nabiullah said. This correspondent visited Khalishpur bazaar and Zinnanogor bazaar of Moheshpur upazila, Borobazaar and Rakhalgachi of Kaliganj upazila, Sabdalpur bazaar and Elangi bazaar of Kotchandpur upazila, Joradah and Narayanpur bazaar of Harinakundo upazila, Garagong bazaar and Monohorpur of Shailkupa upazila, and Holidhani bazaar and Goalpara bazaar of Jhenidah Sadar upazila. It was found that over 4,000 gachhis are busy extracting juice from date palm trees in these areas. This year, gachhis are charging a higher rate than other years. They have taken Tk. 100130 for trimming a tree. Abul Kalam of Harinakundo upazila, the owner of 400 date palm trees, said: I have the trees on six bighas of land. My income is Tk. 78 lakh from the orchard every year. A date palm tree gives us juice, cooking materials, molasses and moulded blocks of jaggery. The owner of a tree has to spend only Tk. 50100 for a tree, he added. Jhenidah DAE sources said that there are over 61,000 date palm trees in six upazilas of the district. Shankar Kumar Majumdar, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Jhenidah, said that date palm trees grow abundantly in these areas due to favorable climate. Juice extraction will continue till the end of the winter season, he added. Jhenidah and its adjoining areas are famous for palm juice and molasses.