DHAKA, Feb 12, 2024 (BSS) - Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdus Shahid today said jute production has risen 33 lakh bales in the last 10 years due to jute-friendly policy taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government.

"In 2015, the country's annual jute production was 51 lakh bales. But in 2022-2023 fiscal, jutie production was around 84 lakh bales. Of them, around 43 lakh bales jute and jute goods were exported making around 8,000 crore export earnings," he said.

The agriculture minister was addressing a seminar on success and potentials of genome centre in jute research at Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) at Manik Miah Avenue in the capital this afternoon.

 The minister said the government began jute's genome sequencing programme in 2009 and set up genome centre to bring back the previous glory of jute. As a result, Bangladeshi scientists were first in the world to successfully disclose genome sequencing of jute (mystery of origin of jute) in 2010.

Through the disclosure of genome sequencing, massive scopes were created for innovation of high-yielding jute variety which is suitable for Bangladesh, he said.

The minister said the country's land is very much suitable for jute cultivation so that there are massive scopes to increase jute production.
Noting that the country has to import maximum quantity of jute seeds from India, Abdus Shahid said works are going on to make the country self-sufficient in jute seed.

In the context of sustainable development, the demand of environment-friendly jute and jute products has massive demand all over the world, he said adding multifaceted use of jute fiber is increasing day by day.
Bangladesh is now exporting jute stick charcoal powder or dust to China, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Brazil, he said.

Agricultural Research Council executive chairman Dr. Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, Agriculture Ministry's joint secretary Rehana Parvin and BJRI director general Dr Md Abdul Awal also spoke.