Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) are predicting a bumper production of jute in the northern region despite the cultivated area being less than that targeted for the year, reports BSS.
The department’s horticulture specialist, Khandker Md Mesbahul Islam, said: “Excellent jute production is expected following favourable climatic conditions and adoption of the latest farming techniques.”
The DAE data shows that for the current season, the farmers have cultivated jute on 220,333 hectares of land in the region, which is 4,910 hectares less than the targeted. The production target was 2,400,127 bales of which 2,203,371 bales were to be of Tosha variety to be grown on 202,144 hectares; 174,291 bales of native variety from 20,376 hectares and 22,465 bales of Mechhta jute from 2,723 hectares of land.
However, farmers have cultivated Tosha variety on 202,880 hectares, native variety on 13,281 hectares and Mechhta variety on 4,172 hectares of land this season.
DAE sources also said the farmers did not face any problems in procuring quality jute seeds as Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation and other concerned organisations ensured sufficient supply.
Associate Director Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr MA Mazid said jute farming had gained a new dimension following increased exports, revival of closed jute mills, disbursement of incentives and other effective steps taken by the government.
“The farmers have started adopting the latest line sowing jute technology using seed sowing machines, resulting in savings of the quantity of seeds required and reducing farming costs to get bumper production and increased profits in recent years,” he added.
DAE sources said farmers are cultivating jute using the six-line pick up jute seeding method that requires only 2kg seeds to cover an acre of land. The traditional method required sowing 2.5-3.5kg of seeds for the same area.
The department’s deputy director, Feroz Ahmed, said, “Farmers have started becoming more interested in cultivating jute as the industry is seeing a resurgence due to the increased demand for the eco-friendly fibre in the international markets.”