Madhukhali (Faridpur) Correspondent :
The way the jute tree stands on the land captivates the mind of the farmer in Madhukhali. Jute has already grown to 4/5 feet in all areas. When the jute matures in a few days, the farmers will start pruning. Jute farmers irrigate the land on their own initiative and sow jute seeds in advance. That is why the field is full of golden ash and jute green.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, the target was to cultivate jute in 8,552 hectares of land this year. Planted in 8,555 hectares of land. Due to favorable weather and timely rainfall after jute sowing, jute size and fiber maturity will be good. The yield of jute this year will be promising if there is timely water for jute rotting.
Large quantities of jute have been cultivated in Byasadi, Laxminayaranpur, Raipur, Gopaldi, Megchami Field, Narkona Field, Kalagachhi Field, Mathurapur Field, Korkadi Field, Arpara Field, Naopara Field of Gajna Union. Jute fills the mind. According to the farmers, if there is timely water, the farmers will not have any problem in cultivating jute.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Krishibid Alvi Rahman said the bumper crop of jute is likely to be harvested this year as the weather is favorable for jute cultivation. Our target is set at 8,552 hectares of land. But the seeds have been sown in 6,555 hectares of land. Which is more planted in 3 hectare land than last time. Today’s position is due to the interest of the farmers and our efforts. Besides, last year jute farmers got good price of jute and this year farmers have become interested in jute cultivation. If the price is good, the farmer will benefit. If Allah has mercy, the farmer will benefit only if water is provided for decomposing jute in time.
BSS from Manikganj adds : The jute cultivation was completed in all the seven upazilas of the district this season.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said a total of 3,595 hectares of land has been brought under jute cultivation in the district with the production target of 41,740 bales of the golden fibre during the current season.
They said 3,080 hectares of land has been brought under Tosha, 470 hectares under local, 40 hectares under Kenaf and 5 hectares of Mesta varieties.
The cultivation of jute has been increasing every year in the district and the growers are getting fair prices for their products.
Abdul Alim, 50, a farmer of Charigram village under Singair upazila said, “We are interested in cultivating jute because it gives us cash money during the lean period”.
Sticks of jute are also used for different household purposes including fencing and cooking, he added.
Md. Lal Mia, 50, of village Kellai under Ghior upazila, said, “I have cultivated jute on two bighas of land this year and I am expecting good production.” The farmers are expecting good production if the favourable weather prevails in the season.
DAE sources said though the soil of the district is suitable for Jute cultivation, most of the Jute was grown in Singair, Saturia and Manikganj Sadar Upazilas.
Deputy Director (DD) of the DAE Abu Mohammad Enayet Ullah said the jute cultivators are interested in jute cultivation as they get good price for their product.
The farmers are also being provided with support from the government including quality seeds and fertilizers, he said.
