Fair prices, high yields boost jute farming in Sirajganj

SIRAJGANJ, July 25: Encouraged by higher yields and favourable market prices, farmers in Sirajganj have expanded jute cultivation for another consecutive year, with many expecting healthy profits this season.

With recent heavy rainfall and early floodwaters filling canals, beels and other water bodies, growers across the district are now busy harvesting, retting, stripping fibre, washing and drying jute.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), jute has been cultivated on 14,250 hectares of land in the district this year, about 90 hectares more than last year. Farmers have cultivated local, Tossa, Mesta and Kenaf varieties, with Ullapara Upazila recording the largest acreage.

Abdul Bassed, a jute farmer from Mohanpur Union in Ullapara, said cultivating one bigha of land costs around Tk 10,000, including land preparation, seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, crop management, harvesting, retting and fibre extraction.

"Raw jute is now selling for Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,500 per maund, so farmers are likely to make a good profit this year," he said.

Abdul Baten Sarkar, a farmer from Chandaikona in Raiganj Upazila, said the fresh rainwater and floodwater have improved the retting process, producing brighter, cleaner fibre that commands higher prices in the market.

"Golden fibre with a bright colour is always in high demand. This year both production and prices are good," he said.

He said production has reached six to seven maunds per bigha, while cultivation costs remain around Tk 10,000 per bigha, making the crop profitable for farmers.

Ullapara Upazila Agriculture Officer Subarna Yasmin Sumi said the upazila remains one of the district's leading agricultural areas, producing bumper crops of jute, mustard and cucumber.

She said jute has been cultivated on 1,671 hectares in the upazila this year, 45 hectares more than last year.
"Favourable weather has resulted in an excellent yield, with production averaging around eight maunds per bigha," she said.

Trading has already begun at local markets across the district, where old jute is selling for around Tk 5,000 per maund, while newly harvested jute is fetching nearly Tk 4,000 per maund, she added.

Deputy Director of the Sirajganj DAE AKM Manzure Mowla said farmers' growing interest in jute cultivation is being driven by consistently good yields and favourable prices.

"Jute cultivation has expanded to 14,250 hectares this year, up by about 90 hectares from last season. As farmers are earning better returns from the crop, the area under cultivation continues to increase every year," he said.