RANGPUR: Officials and experts at a view-sharing meeting here today called for adopting latest technologies in jute farming to get maximum yield and enhancing uses of jute products instead of polythene. They were addressing the event organised by the Directorate of Jute under the Ministry of Jute and Textiles in collaboration with the district administration at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan, and attended by officials, jute farmers, jute traders, jute-related entrepreneurs, jute mill owners, representatives of auto rice mill owners, and journalists. Scientific Officer of Rangpur Regional Jute Research Institute Md Mehebub Hasan and Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Md Reaz Uddin, among others, addressed the meeting.
The speakers stressed on adoption of ribbon retting technologies for rotting and separation of jute fibre during droug
hts or water scarcity to get maximum production with upgraded quality fibre and higher market price. They said expanded and multidimensional uses of jute products have been increasing its demand faster following adverse effects of synthetic fibre in the environment, ushering new hope for revival of the past glory of the ‘golden fibre’.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner highlighted that jute is a cash crop but is losing its golden tradition due to various reasons. Regarding jute cultivation, he mentioned that jute farmers are losing interest in its cultivation day by day due to lack of adequate water reservoirs for jute decomposition. “The government is distributing free jute seeds, fertilizers, and fungicides to motivate farmers in jute cultivation,” he said and called all concerned to inspire farmers to enhance cultivation and production of jute.
He further added that mass awareness should be created to expand use of the eco-friendly jute products to avoid synthetic polyethylene to free nature from pollut
ion.