In Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga, farmers had to face some difficulties to ret the jute due to low rainfall at the beginning of the current season but, later with adequate rainfall they recovered from that crisis.
Now, properly cut and retted golden jute fibre have crammed up all the local markets. Farmers are happy to get an excellent price for the new jute fiber in the markets. Moreover, due to favorable weather, jute yield has improved considerably this year.
Farmers of the area are now spending busy hours. Somewhere in canals or in ponds, jute sticks have been submerged for retting. Somewhere else, jute fibre has been spread in rows on bamboo poles on highways or rural roads for allowing them to dry.
Some farmers are busy in cutting jute trees planted somewhere and removing jute fibers from there. Again, some others are drying the fibre and taking it home. The whole rural side of the district is now full of such scenarios.
Jute prices have been quite good for the last few years. Of these, jute prices rose unusually last year (2020). At the beginning of the jute season, jute was sold at Tk 2,000 to 2,200 per mound. Later, the same was sold at Tk 3,500 and by the end of the season, it reached Tk 5,000. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the average price of jute last year was Tk 3,500.
Talking to jute farmers, it has been larned that jute can be harvested within three months with less labor. It costs Tk 8,000 to 10,000 to cultivate jute on per Bigha of land which produces 10-12 mounds of jute fibre. This time jute is being sold in the market depending on the quality from Tk 2,800 to 3,500. Excluding the cost, jute farmers are getting unimaginable profit from the price. According to Jibannagar Upazila Office of the Department of Agriculture, jute has been cultivated on 2,020 hectares of land there. Farmers of the upazila have cultivated Robi-1 and Tosha-8 varieties of jute this time. The target for jute production per hectare of land has been set at 3.6 tonnes.
As per this, 7,272 tonnes of jute will be produced in the upazila this time. At present the harvesting and retting of jute is almost at the last stage. Jute fibre is being sold in full swing at different local markets. This year the price is much higher than any other year as the color of jute has been great.
Visiting Andulbaria, Hasadah and Uthali markets of Jibannagar upazila it was seen that farmers and small traders are bringing their produced jute for sale. Farmers are smiling as the price of jute is good from the beginning of this season.
Mizanur Rahman, a jute farmer from Nidhikunda village in Jibannagar said he cultivated jute on 2 bighas of land with the cost of Tk 20,000. About 24 mounds of jute have grown on 2 bighas of land. He took the jute to the market and sold it at a price of Tk 2,600 per mound. It has benefited him a lot. He is very happy to get more profit with less cost and less labor.
Abul Kashem, a jute farmer from Madhabpur village, said it cost him Tk 15,000 to cultivate jute on 2 and a quarter Bighas of land and received 18 mounds of jute in total. He sold the jute at a price of Tk 2,900 and excluding his expenses, he has earned Tk 37,200. He is very happy with the outcome.
Madhab, a jute farmer from Dhopakhali village said, “The yield was good this time as the weather was favorable. At first I thought I would not get good price. Now I am selling jute at almost double the price in the market. I have not been able to sell jute at such a high price even in the last 5-7 years. I will also be able to sell dry jute sticks for at least Tk 20,000. Farmers are smiling after getting double price of jute this year.”
Abdul Hannan, a jute trader from Santoshpur village, said farmers were getting better prices for jute than ever before during the Corona pandemic. The trading of the year has also started at high prices. In near history jute has not been sold at such a price.
Liakat Hossain, a jute storekeeper in Hasadah Bazar, said jute has started coming to the market. Prices are much better than last year. If the price is like this, the farmers will benefit immensely.
Jibannagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Sharmin Akhter said, “Jute farmers are getting good profit by deducting production cost as per the current market price of jute. If the price of jute remains like this, the farmers will be more motivated to cultivate jute next year.”
She added that the government is working to ensure the use of jute in all sectors instead of using polythene. She hopes that this will save our environment, as well as bring back the lost glory of the golden jute, that has a high potential for betterment.”
