RAJSHAHI, Aug 14, 2018 (BSS)-As jute harvesting progressing fast in this
region, including the vast Barind tract, amid a good yield, the growers are
happy with better prices of their produce this year.
Newly harvested jute has started appearing in the local markets and other
growth centres for the last couple of days.
At present, most of the growers along with their family members are very
much engaged in harvesting, decomposing, segregating and selling activities
of jute and its sticks.
With starting of full-scale harvesting and decomposing activities within
next couple of days, jute will be available in the markets abundantly.
Initially, jute is being sold at Taka 1,700 to Taka 1,900 per mound in
different hats and bazars while the previous year’s market price was Taka
1,400 to Taka 1,500.
Jute cultivation increased substantially as demand of raw jute has
gradually been rising in both public and private sector jute mills, said
Monsur Rahman, managing director of Monsur Jute Mills Limited.
SM Mustafizur Rahman, 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.
“Seven to eight years back, the farmers lost their interest in jute
cultivation as they did not get fair prices of their production,” said the
official.
During the current season, the farmers cultivated jute on 38,585 hectares
of land in the region comprising Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon and
Chapainawabganj districts.
Quality seeds, easy term bank loan for agri-inputs such as fertiliser,
pesticides boosted jute cultivation in the region this year.
Agriculturist Rahman said jute farming has started getting brighter
dimension through increasing its production and export, ensuring adequate
supply of quality seed, disbursement of more incentives and adopting other
effective measures.
The farmers have started adopting the latest line sowing jute technology
using seeder machines saving huge seed and reducing farming costs and ribbon-
retting method to get quality fibre and more profit,” he added.
He also added that 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 equipped with modern varieties and technologies
relating to 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.
Time has come to involve more farmers in producing high quality jute fibre
and jute seeds by applying the latest technologies for fulfilling demand of
jute seeds by locally produced ones.
Commissioner-in-charge of Rajshahi division Aminul Islam 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 an eco-friendly character with quick rotting system, demand for
jute has been increasing fast in the developed countries, Islam added.
In order to achieving a thriving jute sector, it is crucial to implement
the mandatory Jute Packaging Act of 2010, said Tonmoy Saynal, divisional
coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association.
He says the district administrations and others concerned should work
together for successful implementation of the law strictly.