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NARAIL, July 1, 2026 (BSS) - Officials of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and jute growers of the district are expecting bumper jute production and its fair market prices this season, prompting increased cultivation compared to the previous year.

According to the DAE, jute was cultivated on 23,517 hectares of land in the district this year, an increase of 19 hectares from last year's 23,498 hectares, with an expected production target of 3,16,898 bales.

Farmers are showing renewed interest in jute cultivation, aiming to revive the golden tradition of the once-dominant cash crop. This enthusiasm has translated into higher yields and profits.

DAE officials said jute was cultivated across three upazilas of the district, with the upazila-wise break-up as follows: 6,942 hectares in Narail sadar upazila, 12,165 hectares in Lohagora upazila, and 4,410 hectares in Kalia upazila.

Nipu Majumder, deputy assistant agriculture officer of the DAE in Narail, said high-yielding varieties such as O-9897, GRO-524, and BJRI Tosha-8 were cultivated in different parts of the district.

Muhammad Arifur Rahman, deputy director of the DAE in Narail, said the district's soil is highly suitable for jute cultivation. Demand for eco-friendly jute products is increasing both at home and abroad, boosting farmers' income and interest, he added.

"To bring back the tradition of golden jute in all three upazilas, the Agriculture Department has taken several initiatives to encourage cultivation on available arable land," he continued.

As part of government incentives, a total of 3,200 small and marginal farmers received one kilogram of seeds, five kilograms of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and five kilograms of Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertilizer free of cost this season, the DAE official added.