Bumper jute production
Even though
we have experienced bumper production but the scenario is not all too rosy as yet. Its export earnings have not increased in line with expectations
Ranging from Panchagarh, Faridpur to the greater Rangpur region farmers in Bangladesh are expecting a bumper production of jute this year. It is indeed inspiring news in the midst of alternating floods and heavy rainfall to have hit our agricultural sector hard. Notwithstanding extreme and unpredictable climactic patterns, it is rather surprising that the weather conditions have yet helped in boosting jute cultivation.
According to reliable sources in the DAE, the government has fixed a target of producing over 6.91 lakh bales of jute from 63,600 hectares of land in all the five districts of the region this year. However, the farmers have eventually cultivated jute on 59,938 hectares of land this season less by 3,662 hectares or 5.75 per cent than the fixed farming target.
The fact that the country was committed to revive the jute sector became evident from the onset of 2015 when the PM herself stressed on the agro-products growth, processing to large scale exports. Now having about to experience bumper production we expect the jute growers, businessmen and traders to make the best out of it.
Even though we have experienced bumper production but the scenario is not all too rosy as yet. Its export earnings have not increased in line with expectations. Though over 135 products from the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) were introduced last year, yet the concerned authorities have to do more than just showcasing samples of diversified items in fact they have to promote, popularise and export diverse jute products in the international markets so to give a boost to the sector. Though the government has taken steps to reopen a number of closed-down jute mills for revamping the countrys jute sector, their regular and systematic operations must be ensured. We expect this to begin under close monitoring the soonest, since the farmers will begin harvest of the crop from the next month across the country.
Lastly, there is no room to deny that in order to establish a strong footing, the jute sector needs policy and logistical support. In this regard, we urge the government to firmly implement jute packaging law 2010, which, we believe, will help the jute-dependent products in the local market.
