Rising production costs leave jute farmers battling unfair prices
Jute rotting gets costlier due to water shortage
Farmers want govt to set higher price
DAE says production increasing
The file image shows farmers soaking harvested raw jute in water for rotting in Faridpur on Friday, August 4, 2023. Photo: Focus Bangla
Ujjal Chakraborty
Publish : 26 Aug 2023, 01:37 PMUpdate : 26 Aug 2023, 02:08 PM
Brahmanbaria jute farmers have complained that they are not receiving a fair price, even though the production costs of jute increase every year. Consequently, many farmers are losing interest in jute cultivation.
Jute used to be called the golden fibre due to its exports, but those profitable days are long gone. However, in the Brahmanbaria region, farmers have been cultivating it for generations. Despite lacking commercial gains, numerous individuals continue to cultivate jute, aiming to preserve their heritage.
However, the Department of Agricultural Extension claims that jute production is actually increasing every year, benefiting farmers.
This year, warm weather led to the size of the jute plants being slightly smaller, but the yield has been good.
Reports indicate a successful jute harvest in the Brahmanbaria haor area this season. Currently rural regions are engaged in jute cutting, crushing and drying. However, at the season's start, jute farmers in the area faced challenges due to a lack of water for jute rotting.
Dulal Mia, a jute farmer, said: “Our jute crop was ruined this time due to lack of rain. Previously, it was much cheaper to harvest jute in water, but this time the expenses have significantly increased. With the water shortage, even transporting jute within places has become costly. Everything could have been managed here if we had enough water."
“Currently, jute is being sold at Tk2,000 per maund. Selling at this price would result in losses. If the government had raised the price to Tk3,000, we could have made some profit,” he added.
Farid Mia, another farmer, said: "I am really concerned about our jute crop this time. The water shortage led to extra expenses for labour to harvest and transport jute elsewhere. Even after spending so much money, we are not receiving a fair price. The prices quoted by wholesalers would cause us significant losses. If this continues, we might have to stop jute cultivation in the future."
Brahmanbaria DAE Deputy Director Sushanta Saha said: "Most of the jute is cultivated in Nasirnagar, Sarail, Bijoynagar, Nabinagar and Bancharampur areas of Brahmanbaria surrounded by haors. This time our target was 4,189 hectares and we have achieved 4,191 hectares. We planted local jute varieties this season, all of which have yielded well."
According to the DAE, at least 41,161 bales of jute will be produced from the Brahmanbaria region this season. Its market value is at least Tk60 crore.
Rising production costs leave jute farmers battling unfair prices
Brahmanbaria jute farmers have complained that they are not receiving a fair price, even though the production costs of jute increase every year. Consequently, many farmers are losing interest in jute cultivation.
Jute used to be called the golden fibre due to its exports, but those profitable days are long gone. However, in the Brahmanbaria region, farmers have been cultivating it for generations. Despite lacking commercial gains, numerous individuals continue to cultivate jute, aiming to preserve their heritage.
However, the Department of Agricultural Extension claims that jute production is actually increasing every year, benefiting farmers.
This year, warm weather led to the size of the jute plants being slightly smaller, but the yield has been good.
Reports indicate a successful jute harvest in the Brahmanbaria haor area this season. Currently rural regions are engaged in jute cutting, crushing and drying. However, at the season's start, jute farmers in the area faced challenges due to a lack of water for jute rotting.
Dulal Mia, a jute farmer, said: “Our jute crop was ruined this time due to lack of rain. Previously, it was much cheaper to harvest jute in water, but this time the expenses have significantly increased. With the water shortage, even transporting jute within places has become costly. Everything could have been managed here if we had enough water."
“Currently, jute is being sold at Tk2,000 per maund. Selling at this price would result in losses. If the government had raised the price to Tk3,000, we could have made some profit,” he added.
Farid Mia, another farmer, said: "I am really concerned about our jute crop this time. The water shortage led to extra expenses for labour to harvest and transport jute elsewhere. Even after spending so much money, we are not receiving a fair price. The prices quoted by wholesalers would cause us significant losses. If this continues, we might have to stop jute cultivation in the future."
Brahmanbaria DAE Deputy Director Sushanta Saha said: "Most of the jute is cultivated in Nasirnagar, Sarail, Bijoynagar, Nabinagar and Bancharampur areas of Brahmanbaria surrounded by haors. This time our target was 4,189 hectares and we have achieved 4,191 hectares. We planted local jute varieties this season, all of which have yielded well."
According to the DAE, at least 41,161 bales of jute will be produced from the Brahmanbaria region this season. Its market value is at least Tk60 crore.
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