Jute sticks bring fortune to Meherpur farmers

MEHERPUR, Sept 17: Farmers in the district are earning extra income by selling jute sticks in addition to jute. Jute sticks, which were once discarded after jute was cut or used as fuel in rural kitchens, have now created demand in the market. 

Farmers said a considerable amount of money is spent on cultivating jute on one bigha of land, including land preparation, seeds, fertiliser, labour and other expenses. The profit from selling jute is supplemented by income from selling jute sticks, increasing farmers’ overall earnings.

Talking to some farmers in Meherpur Sadar Upazila, it was known that after jute is cut, the jute fibre is collected, dried in the sun and kept in bundles. Later, farmers use the sticks as fuel as needed and sell the rest to local traders.

Jute sticks have various uses in the local market. They are widely used as cooking fuel in rural areas. In addition, jute sticks are used for fences, making cowsheds and other purposes.

Farmer Harun said that previously, farmers did not pay much attention to jute sticks. After jute was removed from the land, the sticks would simply remain. Now that traders buy jute sticks from homes and fields, they have become an additional source of income for farmers.

Salwar Hossain, a jute farmer from Sadar Upazila, said jute cultivation is costly. In addition to the money earned by selling jute, earning some money from selling jute sticks helps reduce the pressure of production costs. Therefore, farmers are now saving as many jute sticks as possible.

Local traders said demand for jute sticks has increased compared with the past. They collect the sticks from farmers and sell them in different areas. There is a market for the product, particularly because jute sticks are used as cooking fuel.

Housekeeper and cook Felani Khatun said she initially found jute sticks convenient for lighting the stove. She said jute sticks can easily be used to start a fire.

According to information from the District Department of Agricultural Extension, jute has been cultivated on about 16,630 hectares of land in the district this season. Farmers are receiving financial benefits from jute sticks in addition to jute, increasing their interest in jute cultivation.

If jute sticks can be used commercially rather than simply as fuel, their economic potential could increase further. There is also an opportunity to use jute sticks to make various environmentally friendly products.