Sherpur: Farmers in the district are experiencing a bumper jute production this year as the jute cultivation in the district has gone beyond the target because of higher prices.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the jute cultivation target during this year was 1,894 hectares of land while the jute has been cultivated on 1,911 hectares of land, as reported by the Sherpur district Agricultural Extension Services. The jute production is expected to reach over 6,020 tonnes. In the district, the land area for jute cultivation has increased and the average jute production per hectare has also risen, resulting in the surpassing of the cultivation target.
Last year, jute was cultivated on 1,894 hectares of land, but this year, cultivation has expanded to 1,911 hectares. Nearly 7,000 farmers received a kilogram of jute seed and 12 kilograms of chemical fertilizer under the agricultural incentive programme. The jute harvest of 1,700 hectares has already been completed, with an average yield of 10-12 maunds per bigha.
The cultivation costs range from Taka 10,000-12,000 per bigha, while profits are expected to be Tk 14,000 to Tk 15,000 after production costs, according to the farmers. Additional income is also generated from selling jute stalks, with bundles priced at Taka 50-60.
Jamal Uddin, a farmer from Daripara village, expressed concerns over price manipulation, urging the government to prevent syndicates from affecting jute prices. Akram Hossain, another farmer from the same area, noted that favorable rainfall has facilitated jute decomposition and improved yields, with 12 maunds of jute per bigha being achieved.
Deputy Director of the district agricultural extension department, Mohammad Shakawat Hossain, stated that farmers are increasingly interested in jute cultivation due to favorable market prices for the fiber.