RANGPUR, June 19, 2023 (BSS) - Farmers are expecting a bumper production of jute after bringing 52,254 hectares of land under its cultivation as harvesting of the fibre crop will begin from the next month in Rangpur agriculture region.
 
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said jute plants are growing superbly amid favorable climatic conditions and frequent rainfalls, predicting a profuse production this season.
 
A number of farmers said they are expecting to get rewarding prices of jute fibre in local markets this year like the pleasing prices between Taka 4,000 and Taka 5,000 per mound they got last season.
 
Meanwhile, they have started taking preparations for harvesting and rotting of jute plants in water bodies adopting the latest ribbon-retting technology to ensure better quality of the fibre for high price.
 
"The government has fixed a target of producing 6,63,454 bales of jute from 53,567 hectares of land for all five districts in the region this season," said Additional Director of DAE for Rangpur region Agriculturist Md. Aftab Hossain.
 
The target includes production of 6,23,450 bales of 'Tosha' variety jute fibre from 49,200 hectares of land, 32,565 bales of 'Deshi' variety from 3,573 hectares, 2,124 bales of 'Mechta' variety from 354 hectares and 5,315 bales of Kenaf variety from 440 hectares of land.
 
"However, farmers have finally cultivated jute on 52,254 hectares of land, less by 1,313 hectares of land or 2.55 percent against the fixed farming target for the crop this time," Hossain said.
 
Farmers have cultivated jute on 9,478 hectares of land in Rangpur, 15,495 hectares in Gaibandha, 17,404 hectares in Kurigram, 4,230 hectares in Lalmonirhat and 6,960 hectares of land in Nilphamari districts of the region.
 
The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and other agriculture related organisations extended crucial support to farmers to make the jute intensive farming program a success this season.
 
"The government also provided high yielding varieties of quality jute seeds, training and inputs to farmers to enable them in expanding farming to increase production of jute for reviving past glory of the fibre crop," Hossain said.
 
Farmers have cultivated high yielding varieties of jute in more land area though the fixed target for jute farming marked a little shortfall due to crop diversification and cultivation of Aush rice and maize in more land area.
 
"However, farmers are hopeful to achieve the fixed production target of jute for expanded cultivation of high yielding varieties of the crop this year," he added.
 
Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur Agriculturist Md. Obaidur Rahman Mondal predicted a bumper production of jute following excellent growth of tender jute plants amid favorable climatic conditions and frequent rainfalls in recent weeks.
 
"Demand for jute continues increasing following the announcement of jute as a national agricultural product along with mandatory use of jute sacs in different sectors ensuring fair price of the fibre in recent years," he added.
 
Talking to BSS, farmers Monaural Islam, Aiyub Hossain and Nurul Haque of different villages here said they are expecting to get a bumper jute output and preparing to harvest the fibre crop from the second week of the next month.