Jute cultivation exceeds target in Natore

NATORE, Aug 7:  Jute cultivation has fared well in the district this season, surpassing the fixed target. 
The official goal was to cultivate 30,880 hectares of land, but farmers brought 35,066 hectares under jute cultivation. This achievement has created new hope among the farming community, it was observed.

Official sources said that twelve years ago, jute was cultivated on only half the current area in the district. However, cultivation has gradually increased over the years, and this season has seen the best results yet. Farmers are pleased, as they are earning good profits from their produce.

Alongside the rise in cultivation, per-hectare production has also increased. Jute harvesting has already begun across the district, with crops from 14,800 hectares already cut. Total production so far stands at 30,990 metric tons.

Farmers are now deeply engaged in cutting and processing jute. The recent spell of sufficient rainfall has provided ideal conditions for retting, and farmers are happy with this development. There is ample water in beels, rivers and other water bodies across the district, making the retting process much easier.

In this regard, Vanu, a woman from Shaoil Village in Singra Upazila, said she is doing jute retting work for jute sticks only, in exchange for wages.

Hares Miah, a labourer from Hatiandaha Village, said he and ten others are carrying out retting work on the banks of the Gorai River at Hatiandaha, earning Tk 700 per head daily. He added that there is no shortage of water for retting in this village.

Minoti Rani, also from that village, said she and nine other women are doing the same work for jute sticks in return for wages.

Hafsa, an SSC candidate, said he is also helping with the work alongside his family members during his free time, apart from his studies.

Md. Mizanur Rahaman, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of the Haibatpur Block under the local Agriculture Department, said jute has been cultivated here up to expectations, with average production of nine maunds per bigha.

Another farmer, Jubair Hossain of Rajapur agriculture block, informed that he cultivated jute on seven bighas of land this season out of his own interest. He expects to get ten maunds of jute per bigha.

Hasan Ali, a model farmer of the district, opined that farmers' interest in jute cultivation is gradually increasing, as market prices remain good. This has encouraged many to take up the crop with greater enthusiasm.

Khondoker Farid Hossain, Singra Upazila Agriculture Officer, informed that the average jute production in Singra Upazila is eight and a half maunds per bigha, and he expects this figure to rise further.

On the other hand, Md. Habibullah Islam Khan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), said the heavy rainfall across the country this season has made retting much easier for farmers. 

The use of jute is increasing day by day for various purposes, and farmers are getting good prices in the market, which has boosted their interest in cultivation.

He further said that all kinds of cooperation, including training, advice and other incentives, are provided to farmers from time to time to increase production. The agriculture department remains always by their side, he added.