BSS, Rangpur :
The farmers have produced over 20.48 lakh bales of jute fibre against the fixed production target of over 24.11 lakh bales after completing its harvest this season in northern districts.
According to sources in the Agriculture Extension (DAE), the government had fixed a target of bringing over 2.25 lakh hectares of land under cultivation of jute to produce over 24.11 lakh bales of the fibre this season in the region.
However, the farmers had finally cultivated the crop on about 1.97 lakh hectares of land in the northern districts, nearly 28,000 hectares or 13 percent less than the fixed cultivation target of the cash crop in northern Bangladesh this season.
The farmers have produced over 18.97 lakh bales of ‘Tosha’ variety jute from about 1.79 lakh hectares of land, 1.177 lakh bales of ‘Deshi’ variety from 13,635 hectares, 14,252 bales of ‘Mechhta’ variety from 1,607 hectares and 19,042 bales of ‘Kenaf’ variety jute from 2,275 hectares of land in the northern districts this season.
Horticulture Specialist of DAE Khandker Md Mesbahul Islam said a drought-like situation initially hampered sowing of jute seed when the subsequent rainfalls eased the situation though the jute farming target faced a little shortfall.
The farmers again faced problems in rotting harvested jute plants due to drought-like situation and recent rainfalls eased the situation enabling them in harvesting and rotting jute plants to get better quality fibre with colour, he added.
According to sources in the bigger jute markets, farmers, DAE, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), the harvested jute is being sold at rates between Taka 1,100 and 1,600 per maund (every 40 kg) depending on their varieties and qualities. Farmers Mozammel, Mohinul Islam, Aiyub Ali and Shachindra Nath said they have already completed harvesting and rotting of the jute pants through they faced problems in the beginning of the harvesting season due to drought-like situation.
Principal Scientific Officer of Rangpur Regional Station of the BJRI Dr Ayub Ali said farmers became happy following rains in recent weeks to complete harvesting and rooting of jute plants and get better quality, grade and colour of the fibre with fair price.
Associate Director- Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr M A Mazid said jute farming has got new dimension following increased export, revival of closed jute mills, disbursement of incentives and other effective steps of the government.
He called for ensuring fairer jute price for the farmers all the time to keep its production increasing side by side expansion of jute-based industries to increase exports for further encouraging the farmers in enhancing cultivation of the eco-friendly fibre.
