Photo: BSS

KHULNA, July 7, 2026 (BSS) –The farmers have exceeded the jute cultivation target in  Khulna agricultural region this season.

Being confident by consistently good yields and attractive market prices in recent years, farmers have shown keen interest in cultivating the 'golden fibre', resulting in cultivation beyond the official target.

Young jute plants are growing well under favourable weather conditions, raising hopes of a bumper harvest this season. Farmers are expected to begin harvesting the fibre crop from the middle of this month.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) of Khulna Region said the excellent growth of jute plants, aided by frequent rainfall, indicates a plentiful production of fibre this season.

The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and other agriculture-related organisations have provided farmers with the necessary support to make the intensive jute cultivation programme a success.

"With the aim of earning higher profits and restoring the past glory of this golden fibre, farmers are optimistic about achieving the production target through the expansion of high-yielding jute varieties," said Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of Khulna Agriculture Region.

"The DAE has set a target of cultivating Tosha, Deshi, and Mechta varieties of jute on 38,287 hectares of land across the region during the current season," he said.

"However, farmers have cultivated jute on 38,361 hectares, exceeding the target by 74 hectares," Islam said.

“Jute production may be exceeding 52,000 metric tonnes, although the DAE has set a production target 4, 97,444 metric tonnes,” he added.

The DAE is also providing farmers with training on ribbon retting and other fibre extraction methods to maintain quality in the event of water shortages, enabling them to secure better prices for the golden fibre.

Predicting a bumper production this season, he said demand for jute has increased steadily since it was declared a national agricultural product and the mandatory use of jute bags was introduced in various sectors.

"Besides earning good profits from jute cultivation, farmers also benefit because decomposed jute leaves and deep roots act as organic fertiliser, improving soil health and fertility," he added.

Farmer Sohrab Ali of Barasat village in Terokhada upazila of Khulna told BSS that growers expect good prices for jute fibre this year, similar to last season, when it sold for between Tk 5,500 and Tk 6,000 per maund.

Farmers Mahtab Hossain, Shaed Mahmud, Abdul Awal and Apurbo Kumar Roy from different villages in the Fultala Upazila of Khulna also expressed optimism about a bumper harvest and said they are preparing to begin harvesting the crop from the next month.