Good yield, better prices bring smile to jute growers

BARAIGRAM, NATORE, Sept 19: Fresh jute has started arriving at markets in Baraigram Upazila of Natore, with farmers getting around Tk 1,000 more per maund than last year.

Farmers are also pleased with the good yield this season and the availability of sufficient water for retting due to adequate rainfall.

At the beginning of last year, fresh jute was sold for Tk 2,700�"2,900 per maund. This year, farmers initially received Tk 3,700�"3,800 per maund, while the price has now risen to Tk 4,100�"4,200. This means they are getting Tk 1,200�"1,400 more per maund than last year.

“Jute production has been good this year, and we are also getting a good price. I am making around Tk 1,200 more per maund by selling fresh jute,” said Rashidul Islam, a farmer from Srirampur.

Abu Bakar Mondal, a jute grower from Royna Village, said farmers were getting around 600�"700 bundles of jute sticks per bigha. Each 100 sticks are selling for at least Tk 500, providing farmers with additional income alongside the good jute price.

According to the upazila agriculture office, the target for jute cultivation this year was set at 10,200 hectares. However, encouraged by satisfactory prices at the end of last season, farmers exceeded the target and cultivated jute on 10,875 hectares.

Favourable weather has resulted in an average yield of 8�"9 maunds per bigha. Last year, farmers faced severe difficulties retting jute due to inadequate rainfall. This year, sufficient rain has ensured adequate water for the process.

However, farmers said production costs have increased compared to last year, particularly labour costs. Workers were available for Tk 700 a day last year, while farmers now have to pay Tk 900 for cutting, retting and stripping jute.

As a result, production costs have increased by Tk 200�"300 per maund. The cost has risen from around Tk 2,500 per maund last year to Tk 2,700�"2,800 this year.

The jute market at Laxmikole has become busy amid the good yield. Trader Iman Ali said they buy jute from the local market and send it to wholesale markets in Faridpur, Khulna, Jashore, Bogura and Kushtia. Demand is high in those markets this year, keeping prices favourable.

Still, farmers are worried that prices may fall when supply increases further.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Sajib Al Maruf said farmers were in a profitable position this year considering the weather, yield and prices. “If they continue to get good prices, farmers will remain interested in cultivating jute in the coming years,” he said.