RANGPUR, Aug 30, 2013 (BSS) – The farmers have become frustrated following lower market price
despite getting bumper jute yield exceeding its production target in Rangpur Agriculture Zone this
season, farmers and official sources said.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, farmers have already
completed jute harvest and producd 11,79,054 bales of the fibre exceeding the fixed production
target by 8.23 percent in the region this time.
The DAE had fixed a target of producing 10,89,380 bales jute fibre though bringing 1,02,875
hectares land under its cultivation in all eight districts under Rangpur Agriculture Region during the
current season.
However, the framer cultivated the crop in 1,02,944 hectares land, exceeding the farming target by
69 hectares and produced 11,79,054 bales jute exceeding the production target by 89,674 bales in
the region.
They have produced 74,769 bales local variety jute from 8,153 hectares and 11,04,285 bales ‘Tosha’
variety from 94,791 hectares and against targeted 1,16,237 bales local variety from 13,589 hectares
and 9,73,143 bales ‘Tosha’ variety from 89,279 hectares.
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE Khandker Md Mesbahul Islam expressed satisfaction over bumper
production despite pale colour of the fibre for lack of adequate rain water following a prolonged
drought like situation during harvesting period.
Talking to BSS, Deputy Director of the DAE Feroz Ahmed said jute cultivation has started regaining
its past glories as a result of various effective steps taken by the government in recent years.
Principal Scientific Officer of Rangpur Regional Station of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute Dr
Mohammad Aiyub Khan said the farmers achieved bumper yield cultivating jute using the latest
agro-technologies including ribbon retting even amid drought-like situation.
Rangpur Regional Additional Director of the DAE Sikander Ali expressed his satisfaction over jute
yield this season and hoped that its production would continue increasing in future as a result of
pragmatic steps taken by the government.
However, expressing dissatisfaction over lower market price of jute between Taka 1,000 and 1,300
per maund (every 40 kg), jute growers Almas Ali, Sabur Miah, Mahbub Hossain and Sukomal Roy
sought quicker government steps for ensuring fair price.
They urged for expediting jute purchase through adequately funding the purchasing agencies and
jute mills of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation to ensure fair price as they are selling jute at rates at
extremely lower prices now in the local markets.
Taking advantage of slower purchasing pace by the government agencies and mills, local syndicates
are making stocks after buying at lower rates to earn windfall profits after few months when
farmers would not have jute in their possessions, they said. – Our Correspondent
