In Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, after a long time, the interest of the farmers in jute cultivation has increased after getting a fair price for jute. Once, they turned away from jute cultivation due to fear of repeated losses. This year, in Shahjadpur upazila, along with the unexpected yield of jute and getting good prices in the market, the faces of the jute farmers are smiling. With the return of the golden fiber, the farmers of the area are spending a busy time with jute cultivation. As a result, a new interest has been created among the farmers of the upazila in jute cultivation.
According to the Upazila Agricultural Extension Department, this year, jute has been cultivated on a total of 418 hectares of land in 13 unions including the municipality in the upazila. Out of this, Desi, Mechta, Kenaf, JRO-524, Sabuj Sona, Bari-1 and Robi-1 varieties of jute have been cultivated. According to the source, 10 to 12 maunds of jute have been produced per bigha of land this year. On the other hand, the production cost of jute cultivation per bigha of land has been 15 to 18 thousand taka. It is known that currently, new jute is being sold at a price of 3,800 to 4,300 taka per bigha in the upazila and neighboring markets. On the other hand, dried jute sticks used as fuel are being sold at a price of 6,000 to 8,000 taka per bigha. Abdul Alim, a farmer from Padkola village of the upazila, said that he cultivated jute this year after a long time on the advice of the agricultural office. The yield has been good. I got a good price by selling it in the market. Farmer Abdul Latif of Garadaha village said that this year he has cultivated jute on three and a half bighas of land. On the other hand, farmer Yakub Ali of Khamarshalina village said that he has cultivated jute on four bighas of land this year. He has already sold jute from two bighas of land at a price of 3,800 taka per maund. He said that an average of 11 maunds of jute has been produced on his four bighas of land. On the other hand, farmer Dulal Sarkar of the same village said that he has cultivated jute on two bighas of land. He has sold 20 maunds of jute produced on two bighas of land at an average price of 4,200 taka per maund. Farmer Abul Kalam of Rupbati Union said that he has cultivated jute on two bighas of land. He said that many people in the area are busy with the work of separating the fibers from the jute and drying it. He also said that currently, the price of jute per maund is being sold in the market from 4,000 taka to 4,500 taka depending on the quality. Farmers also said that dried jute is being sold at an average of 8,000 taka per maund.
Meanwhile, visiting different areas of the upazila, it was seen that farmers are busy with jute harvesting in canals and flood waters, removing jute fibers, drying jute and jute sticks and selling them. Due to the unexpected yield compared to the production cost and getting good prices in the market, local jute farmers are becoming interested in jute cultivation.
In this regard, last Monday, upazila agricultural officer, agriculturalist Abdullah Al Mamun, said that jute cultivation has been done on 418 hectares of land in the upazila this year. He said that jute cultivation requires less effort and effort but can be more profitable. Free seeds have been distributed among 100 farmers this year to motivate farmers to cultivate jute. In addition, officials of the agricultural office are providing various types of advice to the farmers at the field level. He also said that farmers in this region used to leave their lands fallow after cultivating paddy and mustard. This time, due to their motivation, they have obtained unexpected yields by cultivating jute. Farmers are benefiting by getting good prices in the market. He expressed hope that jute cultivation will increase further in this upazila in the future.
