RAJSHAHI, July 19, 2019 (BSS)- Harvesting of jute is progressing fast
everywhere in all eight districts under Rajshahi division in the current
season with a prediction of better yield.
As there was favorable climatic condition, jute was cultivated on more
lands than that of target fixed by the Department of Agriculture Extension
(DAE).
At present, most of the growers along with their family members are very
much engaged in harvesting, decomposing, segregating and selling activities
of jute.
On starting of full-scale harvesting and decomposing activities within next
15 to 20 days, jute will be available in the markets abundantly.
Abdur Razzaque, a farmer of Shreepur 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.
Razzaque 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.
Meanwhile, DAE here has set a target of producing around 12.15 lakh tonnes
of jute from 1.12 lakh hectares of lands in the Rajshahi division during 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.
“Nine to ten years back, the farmers lost interest on jute cultivation as
they did not get fair prices,” said the official.
Agriculturist Dhali said jute farming has started getting brighter
dimension through increasing its production and adopting other effective
measures.
The farmers have started adopting the latest line sowing jute technology
using seeders machines saving huge seed and reducing farming costs and
ribbon-retting method to get quality fibre and more profit,” he added.
DAE Deputy Director Shamsul Haque says necessary measures are being taken
for making the farmers habituated in promoting high yielding jute varieties
for boosting its production.
The growers are also being taken forward with modern varieties and
technologies relating to the jute cultivation and decomposition for their
benefits in the present competitive era. All the field level officials and
others concerned were instructed to attain the cherished goal.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Nur-Ur-Rahman told BSS that increased
farming of jute could revive the past glory of the golden fibre ushering in 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, Rahman added.