Bangladesh has begun experimental cultivation of three high-yield cotton varieties from Sudan, alongside four existing local and imported varieties already grown on 45,000 hectares of land. Farmers report that these Sudanese varieties, though smaller in plant size, are producing double the yield within just four months compared to conventional types. Second Episode  of Series Report on Cotton Cultivation by Sushanta Singha

In Chuadanga’s Damurhuda upazila, farmer Kamruzzaman Koel successfully tried these new varieties despite delays in planting due to heavy rainfall. Cotton bolls are seen hanging densely on each plant. Industry representatives and cotton entrepreneurs are hopeful, citing examples like Abul Khayer, a Saudi expatriate cultivating Sudanese cotton on 32,000 acres for export, who now envisions doubling production in Bangladesh through these high-yield seeds.

Experts emphasize that with the garment sector importing $9 billion worth of cotton and yarn annually, expanding local cultivation of high-quality, high-yield cotton is crucial to reduce dependency on imports and save foreign currency.