Present Practices and Constraints of Juice and Gur Production from Date Palm Trees in Bangladesh

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the present status of date palm juice and gur, to assess the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents involved in date palm juice and gur production, and to explore the production-based constraints of date palm gur. Study Design: The cross-sectional survey method was used in this study, along with a descriptive research design. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in 4 upazilas (sub-district), namely Bagha, Lalpur, Khjjuria and Dumuria, under the 4 districts Rajshahi, Natore, Jessore and Khulna in Bangladesh, from November 2020 to March 2021. Methodology: Out of 133 farmers, 97 were selected as samples using a random sampling technique. Data collected using a structured questionnaire were subjected to descriptive analysis, including frequency count, percentage, and mean for describing the level of selected variables. Results: Rajshahi had a maximum area covered by date palm trees (12.02 ha), the highest number of trees (1129), and the highest amount of produced gur (14454 kg) compared to other districts. The greatest percentages of farmers were old (43.3%) and had a high annual income (42.3%). All the farmers used seed as propagating material. In case of constraints, ‘decrease of number of gachi’ ranked first followed by ‘adulteration of gur’ second and ‘decrease of number of date palm trees’ third. Conclusion: It can be concluded that a decreased number of gachi is one of the major constraints for juice and gur production in Bangladesh. Continuous training and management of date palm trees, as well as the production of juice and gur with scientific technology, will improve farmers’ incomes and livelihoods.