Jute farmers happy with prices in Kishoreganj

Jute has long been intertwined with Bangladesh’s economy, history and culture. Once the country’s main source of foreign exchange, it earned Bangladesh the title of the “Golden Fibre” nation.

However, in the second half of the 20th century, the rise of synthetic fibres in the global market, coupled with poor industrial management, led to the decline of the country’s jute industry.

In the 21st century, however, as the world increasingly embraces sustainable and environmentally friendly products, Bangladesh’s jute industry is witnessing renewed prospects.

Bangladeshi jute is renowned worldwide for its superior quality. The country’s favourable geographical location, climate, farmers’ expertise and traditional cultivation methods have contributed to its reputation, earning consistent appreciation in international markets.

Freshly harvested jute has started arriving at markets across Kishoreganj, where farmers say they are receiving satisfactory prices. According to local growers, jute is currently selling for around Tk 4,000 per maund.

Jute is generally not cultivated in the low-lying haor areas of the district. Instead, farmers grow the crop on medium-high and high lands under two and three-crop farming systems, mainly during the Boro season.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Kishoreganj, Dr. Sadiqur Rahman, told The New Nation that both the yield and market prices have been encouraging this season.

“There has been no shortage of water for retting jute this year,” he said. “However, some farmers still ret jute in shallow ponds, which affects fibre quality.”

He urged farmers to ret jute in deeper, clean water to produce higher-quality fibre and secure better prices in the market.

A visit to the Suti area of Sahasram Dhuldia Union in Katiadi Upazila on Monday found freshly harvested jute drying on the railings of bridges. Similar scenes were visible across many agricultural areas of the district, where bridge railings have become temporary drying racks for raw jute. Workers were also seen extracting fibre from retted jute in shallow water bodies before drying it in the sun, bundling it and preparing it for sale.

On market days, farmers from surrounding villages bring their produce to local markets. Md Nurul Haque, a farmer from Gaglail village in Katiadi Upazila, said he cultivated jute on one acre of land this season at a cost of about Tk 30,000. He harvested around 15 maunds and is currently receiving Tk 4,000 per maund.

“The price was around Tk 4,000 per maund at the beginning of the season, and I hope it will increase further as the season progresses,” he said.

Based on the current market price, he expects to earn about Tk 60,000 from selling his jute.

Another farmer, Mazharul Islam of Niamatpur village in Karimganj Upazila, cultivated jute on one and a half acres of land. He said jute had been selling for Tk 4,000 per maund in his area a few days ago, but the price has recently declined to Tk 3,800. However, he expects prices to recover in the coming weeks.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), jute has been cultivated on nearly 18,000 hectares of land in Kishoreganj this season, with a production target of 200,000 bales.