Farmers in the Khulna region are expecting a bumper jute harvest this season, encouraged by favourable weather, good yields and attractive market prices.
The area under jute cultivation has exceeded the official target as farmers have shown growing interest in the ‘golden fibre’ in recent years.
Frequent rainfall and favourable weather helped the jute plants grow well, while farmers have already completed harvesting in most areas.
Md Rafiqul Islam, additional director of the Khulna Agriculture Region, said farmers were optimistic about higher returns from jute cultivation and restoring the crop’s past glory.
“With the aim of earning higher profits and restoring the past glory of the golden fibre, farmers are optimistic about achieving the production target by expanding the cultivation of high-yielding jute varieties,” he said.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) set a target of cultivating Tosha, Deshi and Mechta varieties on 38,361 hectares of land across the region this season, 74 hectares more than last year, he said.
The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation and other agriculture-related organisations provided farmers with necessary support for jute cultivation.
The department also trained farmers in ribbon retting and other fibre extraction methods to help maintain fibre quality amid water shortages and secure better prices.
Rafiqul said demand for jute had been rising steadily following its recognition as a national agricultural product and the introduction of mandatory jute-bag use in various sectors.
He said jute cultivation also benefited soil health, as decomposed jute leaves and deep roots act as organic fertiliser and improve soil fertility.
With favourable weather and strong farmer participation, officials are expecting a healthy production of jute across the Khulna region this season.