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BENAPOLE, Nov 24: Jashore's century-old heritage of date palm sap and molasses continues to hold strong appeal-both across the country and abroad.
This long-standing reputation has given rise to the popular phrase "Jashorer Jash, Khejur-er Rosh" (Jashore's glory lies in its date palm sap). With the arrival of winter, rural Jashore transforms into a hub of traditional sweets made from freshly collected date palm sap. Based on current market rates, the overall value of sap and molasses from the district is estimated at around Tk 1.0 billion (Tk 100 crore).
Every morning, households prepare various winter delicacies-pitha, molasses cakes, and warm sap straight from the trees. The practice is so deeply rooted that even a regional folk song speaks of venturing out to cut a palm tree at dusk in search of fresh sap. According to the local Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Jashore currently has around 1.625 million date palm trees. These trees are commonly found on field boundaries, by riverbanks, on fallow land, and scattered across rural farmland.
Agricultural scientists note that Jashore's sandy-loam soil and low water retention help the trees grow deep roots, resulting in sap that is naturally fragrant and flavourful. Local gachhis (date palm tappers) say that raw sap sells for Tk150-200 per bhar (pitcher containing 3-5 kgs).
High-quality molasses contained in one bhar can fetch around Tk 1,000, while patali gur sells for Tk 400-500 per kg. From tapping the trees to boiling sap into molasses, the work is laborious and time-consuming. The season runs roughly six months-from mid-October (Ashwin) to March (Chaitra). Throughout this period, tapping families dedicate a major portion of their day to the process and, by the end of the season, usually earn a decent income.
The major molasses markets in Jashore operate in Rupdia of Sadar upazila, Bagharpara, Keshabpur, and Rajganj of Monirampur. Traders purchase date palm molasses from these markets to supply nationwide. With the recent rise in craftsmanship and quality, Jashore's molasses and patali have gained strong demand not only across Bangladesh but also internationally.
Some traders now take direct orders from consumers and ship large quantities outside the country. In recent years, many have even adopted online sales. In 2024, then-Chaugachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer-now Jashore Additional Deputy Commissioner-Sultana initiated several efforts to preserve the district's molasses heritage. She organised fairs, training for gachhis, community gatherings, and programmes promoting plantation and conservation of date palm trees. She also submitted the application for Geographical Indication (GI) recognition for Jashore's date palm molasses. The product received GI status on February 15, 2024.
On November 2 this year, the region's new tapping season was officially inaugurated at Hayatpur village in Chaugachha by UNO Shahinur Akhter. A local gachhi Tipu Sultan was spotted preparing a tree for tapping. Tipu, who does not own any date palm trees, said he has leased 150 trees from local residents. After paying the lease fee, he expects to earn a profit of roughly Tk 0.15 million ( 1.5 lakh) by the end of the season. Speaking over the phone, Jashore's DAE Deputy Director Md. Mosharraf Hossain said the department is encouraging farmers to produce safe and hygienic sap and molasses.
They are promoting the "shading method", which protects the sap and avoids traditional open tapping that can lead to contamination. A project has already been launched to expand these improved techniques.
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