RANGPUR, July 05, 2018 (BSS) – The farmers and officials concerned are
expecting a better jute production despite a shortfall in the farming target
as the tender plants are growing excellent in Rangpur agriculture region this
season.
Talking to BSS today, officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension
(DAE) said that harvest of the fibre crop would begin from the middle of this
month in the region.
The DAE has fixed a target of producing 6.83-lakh bales of jute from 61,625
hectares of land for Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat
districts in the region this year.
The fixed target include production of 6.33-lakh bales of ‘Tosha’ variety
of jute fibre from 56,300 hectares of land, 49,191 bales of ‘Deshi’ variety
fibre from 5,295 hectares and 253 bales of ‘Mechta’ variety of jute from 30
hectares of land.
However, the farmers have finally cultivated jute on 49,657 hectares of
land, less by 11,968 hectares or 19.42 percent than the fixed farming target
this season.
“The farmers have cultivated ‘Tosha’ variety of jute on 45,881 hectares,
‘Deshi’ variety on 3,361 hectares and ‘Mechta’ variety on 415 hectares of
land in five districts,” said Horticulture Specialist of DAE at its regional
office Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam.
The target could not be achieved due to crisis of quality seed, excessive
rainfalls during seed sowing period in April last, cultivation of Aus rice
and maize on more lands, he said.
Deputy Director at its regional office Md Moniruzzaman predicted an
excellent production of jute fibre despite shortfall in the cultivation
target in the region this season.
Talking to BSS, farmers Neyamatullah, Ariful Haque and Sunil Chandra of
different villages here said they were taking proper care of growing tender
jute plants on their fields with a hope of bumper output.