Mahottari, April 30: With rising temperature in country’s southern plains of late, penchant for liquid intake has grown accordingly. There is no more a better alternative to a cold solution than the locally produced sugarcane juice, blending mint leaves.
A youth returned from foreign job landed the entrepreneurship of selling sugarcane juice, cashing in the scorching atmosphere at Chokbazaar area of Mahottari district.
Mahammad Afjal, a resident of Ishworpur-1, Sarlahi, spent four years in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia toiling to ensure decent livelihood and schooling to children. He is currently crushing sugarcane and selling juice, a small enterprise with steady income.
“I spent four years with backbreaking tasks abroad. Now, I’m determined not to go abroad, but engage in self-entrepreneurship,” he said. For the last three years, Afjal is pulling cart with stack of sugarcane, crushing it and selling juice to thirsty customers.
He shared that his job has finely managed children’s schooling and upbringing. There are six members in his family- four daughters and a spouse.
Afjal explained that although he was forced to go abroad for job to secure bright future, the overseas stay did not go as per expectation. “I was burdened of huge loan while going abroad. But, I’m free of it now – paid all,” he shared jubilantly, adding that he came to realize that it was better to engage in job within country.
In his observation, fostering self-entrepreneurship is a respected job. Another in same business is Jagdish Sah from Mithila-1 of Dhanusha. “I’ve been selling sugarcane juice for two years here. I’ve not begged with anyone for the money to run family after I devoted to this job.”
He further said he was happy to work at home and share moments of happiness with family members. He also has not planned to go abroad again.
Mohamad Nasir from Gaushala-5 earns over Rs 3,000 in a day by selling sugarcane juice with the rising temperature. With this, he saves Rs 2,000 from this income.
Although this trade runs throughout the year, summer season is the most favourable time to secure huge income. The sugarcane juice has the blend of basil and mint leaves. It is given a good tang with mixture of ice. The young and old, the customers enjoy this liquid intake. There are dozens of people involved in selling sugarcane juice at Jaleshwar, Ramgopalpur, Pipara, Matihani, Sitapur Bazaar, Aurahi, Gaushala, Samshi and Loharpatti.
Most of those selling the cane juice are the foreign migrant returnees. According to Afjal, it is far better to engage in the jobs we like at home than toiling at risk abroad. “It is worrying to see many going abroad do not find the jobs they are assured of before leaving the country,” he revealed the plight. Once such entrepreneurship is prioritized at home, it certainly curbs the trend of youth exodus. “I’m inspiring other youths to engage within country,” he added.
It cost some Rs 200 thousands to fix cart with a motor (crushing machine), an essential to carry sugarcane sticks and prepare juice. Sugarcane is a major cash crop in Mahottari, Sarlahi and Dhanusha districts, so there is no shortage of raw material for this street drink. Doctors also suggest sugarcane juice as a healthy intake during summer season.
