The golden era of jute has started returning back in Rajshahi region and some other parts of the country. Farmers of the region have started adopting the latest technology to cultivate jute like using seeder machines which is saving huge seed and reducing farming costs. They are also using ribbon-retting method to get quality fiber.
Many said that increased farming of jute could revive the past glory of the golden fiber. Meanwhile, the demand for jute has been increasing fast in the developed countries. BSS adds: officials and farmers are expecting better jute yield as the target of producing 12.15-lakh tonnes jute has been fixed in Rajshahi region including its vast Barind tract this season.
Currently, the farmers were seen taking care of the jute plants amid favourable climate conditions with the hope of getting expected yield. The enthusiastic farmers were also seen showing interests to cultivate jute after getting its repeated bumper production and lucrative market price in recent years.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has set a target of producing around 12.15 lakh tonnes of jute from 1.12 lakh hectares of lands in all eight districts under Rajshahi division in the current season. Deb Dulal Dhali, Additional Director of DAE, said farmers got fair prices of jute during the last couple of years and as a result, they are now eager to cultivate more jute.
“Eight to nine years back, the farmers lost interest on jute cultivation as they did not get fair prices,” said the official. Quality seeds, easy term bank loan for agri-inputs such as fertiliser, pesticides boosted jute cultivation in the region which made the farmers hopeful about good yield.
Jaidur Rahman, a grower of Karnahar village under Paba Upazila, said jute’s golden era has started returning back. He said the role of private jute mills and government’s declaration about the mandatory use of jute bags in packaging public food grains boosted jute cultivation.
Last year, initial market price of jute was Taka 1400 to 1500 per mound. But, finally the price stood at Taka 1800-2,000 per mound, he said. Rahman mentioned the price could have been more if there were no syndicate of middlemen and traders. He sought government intervention of controlling the syndicate to facilitate the farmers to get fair price.
Agriculturist Dhali said the farmers have started adopting the latest technology to cultivate jute like using seeder machines which is saving huge seed and reducing farming costs. He said farmers are also using ribbon-retting method to get quality fiber. He added that necessary measures are being taken for making the farmers habituated in promoting high yielding jute varieties for boosting its production.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Noor-Ur-Rahman told BSS that increased farming of jute could revive the past glory of the golden fiber ushering a new era in the economy as well as saving the environment and soil health from further degradation. Because of Eco-friendly characters with quick rotting system, demand for jute has been increasing fast in the developed countries, he added.
