Jute cultivation is making a strong comeback in Sariakandi upazila of Bogra, as farmers have expanded cultivation well beyond the official target this year, buoyed by bumper yields and favourable market prices.
Encouraged by the profits they earned last season, many growers have returned to the crop with renewed enthusiasm, raising hopes that the ‘golden days’ of the golden fibre are returning to the riverine upazila.
Bordered by the Jamuna, Bangali and Sukhdaha rivers, Sariakandi is known for its fertile sandy loam soil, making it one of the country's traditional jute-growing areas.
In recent years, however, cultivation declined as farmers struggled with rising labour costs and poor market prices. Last year's strong prices and healthy yields reversed that trend, prompting many to increase acreage this season.
The crop has performed well this year, with jute plants in some fields reaching 10 to 15 feet in height. Harvesting has already begun in several areas, while farmers are retting the plants, extracting fibre and bringing it to local markets.
Lebu Akand, a farmer from Partit Para village under Sadar Union, said he cultivated jute on five bighas of land along the Jamuna River last year and earned a healthy profit.
"After getting a good return last year, I brought more land under jute cultivation this season. The plants have grown almost twice the height of a person, and I've already started harvesting," he said.
Jute is currently selling for Tk3,500 to Tk4,000 per maund, he said, adding: "If prices remain stable, I expect to make another good profit. It feels like the golden days our forefathers experienced are returning."
Local traders said they bought jute for up to Tk3,600 per maund during last year's harvesting season. This year, prices initially climbed as high as Tk5,400 per maund before easing to around Tk4,200.
Those who stocked jute last year have made substantial profits from the higher prices, they added.
According to the Sariakandi Upazila Agriculture Office, the cultivation target for both last year and this year was 3,700 hectares.
While jute was cultivated on 3,105 hectares last year, producing an average yield of 2.9 tonnes per hectare, the area under cultivation has expanded to around 5,500 hectares this season—nearly 50% above the target. Harvesting has so far been completed on about 350 hectares.
Sariakandi Upazila Agriculture Officer Mohammad Ali Jinnah said the upazila's sandy loam soil and favourable weather have contributed to another bumper harvest.
"Jute cultivation declined over the past couple of years, but farmers were encouraged by the good prices and yields they received last season. As a result, they have returned to the crop with renewed confidence this year," he said.
He added that farmers are once again receiving satisfactory prices, reinforcing optimism that jute is regaining its importance as a profitable cash crop in the area.
