Md Mamun Islam, Rangpur

Relaunch of Shyampur Sugar Mills Limited (SSML), Rangpur's only heavy industry, can boost the local economy and bring prosperity to many including farmers and workers, and change their fortune.

Talking to BSS, farmers, former workers of the industry and leaders of different farmers’ organisations expressed their firm hope that the interim government will re-launch the potential industry and run profitably under efficient management.

They said the industry, which was once a source of livelihood for thousands of people was shut down four years ago in 2020 for incurring losses creating an uncertainty to the future of common people.

Sugarcane grower Mossaraf Hossain of village Paschim Gilabari in Rangpur Sadar said sugarcane farming is more profitable than many other crops.

“I reaped maximum profit by farming sugarcane in my five acres of land even four years ago. As SSML was closed, I had to switch over to rice cultivation. I am reaping the minimum profit now,” he said.

Farmer Majibar Rahman of village Shibpur Kuthipara in Gopalpur union of Badarganj upazila said he cultivated sugarcane in his 25 acres of land for decades and changed his fortune then.

“But, the closure of SSML forced me to leave sugarcane farming. My current income from cultivation of rice, potatoes and other crops has reduced,” he said, adding that farmers are gradually losing their solvency.

Farmer Tarikul Islam Chowdhury of village Baikunthapur in nearby Chandanpat union of Rangpur Sadar said he cultivated sugarcane in his two acres of land for many years.

“I have almost left sugarcane farming. I am currently earning a very little profit from cultivation of rice and other crops,” he said.

Like many others, the farmers urged the interim government to re-launch SSML so that they could restart farming sugarcane to get the highest profit again and dream of a better future for their children.

Former President of SSML employees’ union Aktarul Badsha said the then fascist government closed six sugar mills out of 15 in 2020 in the interest of few sugar importers and a neighbouring country.

“The interim government should reopen SSML and all other closed sugar mills to save the country’s sugar industry, farmers, workers, economy and associated people to ensure their livelihoods and better future,” he said.

Altaf Hossain, former Gopalpur union parishad chairman and former general secretary of the SSML Sugarcane Farmers’ Welfare Committee, said the local economy has collapsed due to closure of SSML that stood second in Bangladesh in sugar production.

Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industry Corporation (BSFIC) formed an 11-member Task Force headed by its chairman on September 30 last to verify the feasibility of re-starting all six closed sugar mills, including SSML.

“The interim government should reopen all closed sugar mills soon after getting a report from the Task Force in greater national interests to increase domestic sugar production and bring dynamism to the economy,” he said.

Md Khorshed Alam, manager (accounts) of SSML said it will require Taka 50 crore to re-launch threshing of sugarcane at SSML after completing necessary repairs and other works.

Talking to BSS, SSML Managing Director Md. Masud Sadik said the sugar mill was established in 1964 in Shyampur area of Badarganj upazila in Rangpur on 111.45 acres of land with sugarcane cultivable area of 30,500 acres.

“|The mill went into threshing sugarcane in 1967 with a daily capacity of crushing 1,016 metric tonnes of sugarcane and annual sugar production capacity of 10,161 metric tonnes,” he said.

Presently, SSML has 65 employees including officers, and a debt or loan of Taka 225.89 crore with various banks, domestic and foreign institutions and organizations.

Sugarcane threshing operation at SSML was stopped in the financial year 2020-21 due to the financial crisis.

“Currently, we can’t pay the monthly salary, allowance of working workers, employees and officials, dues of retired workers/employees, outstanding dues of various suppliers amounting to Taka 23.34 crore,” he said.

“If the interim government reopens SSML, there will be direct and indirect employment of around one lakh people to promote socio-economic development of the whole area,” he added.