Sharsha: A bumper harvest and higher market prices have brought fresh smiles to jute farmers in Sharsha upazila of Jashore this season. Farmers are now selling newly harvested jute at Tk 3,800 to Tk 4,000 per maund, around Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200 more than the prices they received at the beginning of the previous season.
According to United News of Bangladesh, at the start of last season, new jute was sold for Tk 2,600 to Tk 2,800 per maund. This year, farmers initially received Tk 3,500 to Tk 3,600, with prices rising further in recent weeks. The higher prices have come as a welcome relief for farmers, particularly after they faced difficulties with jute retting last year due to inadequate rainfall. This year, however, sufficient rainfall has ensured an adequate supply of water for retting, allowing farmers to complete the process without major difficulties.
The Sharsha Department of Agricultural Extension office reported that jute production has also been good this year. The area under jute cultivation increased to 5,503 hectares from 5,000 hectares last year, an increase of 503 hectares. Farmers stated that favourable weather and good yields have helped them earn more despite higher production costs.
Labour wages have also increased notably. Workers who were hired for around Tk 400 last year now demand higher wages for harvesting, retting, and stripping jute fibre. As a result, production costs have increased by around Tk 200 to Tk 300 per maund compared to last year.
Farmer Abdul Alim expressed satisfaction with both the yield and the market price. "The jute yield has been very good this year, and I am also getting a good price. Compared to last year, I am earning Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200 more per maund," he said.
Jute trader Bablu Rahman mentioned that he buys jute directly from local farmers and sends it to major trading centres, including Kushtia, Faridpur, Khulna, and Bogura. Sharsha Upazila Agriculture Officer Dipok Kumar Saha noted that farmers are benefiting this year from favourable weather, good yields, and satisfactory market prices. He mentioned that government support, including the free distribution of quality jute seeds and regular agricultural advice, has also contributed to the farmers' success.
For Sharsha's jute farmers, the season has brought not only a good harvest but also the prospect of better earnings from a traditional crop that remains an important source of livelihood in the region.