Indian jute seeds flood Jessore markets
Our correspondent, Jessore
Low quality smuggled Indian jute seeds have flooded the markets of Jessore district at the peak season of sowing, sources said. They said innocent farmers are being cheated by a section of dishonest seed traders in the district. According to the sources, some people in the bordering areas have been engaged in smuggling low quality Indian jute seeds over the past one month. These seeds are being marketed through the small seed traders. The smuggled seeds are allegedly being repacked to cheat the innocent jute growers. The farmers are buying these low quality jute seeds from the local markets without knowing the consequences. Jute production has fallen drastically in the district since 2000 due to low market prices. It has discouraged jute growers to cultivate the cash crop. Many jute growers and jute traders are yet to get their longstanding dues from different jute purchasing centers. According to other sources, the smugglers of jute seeds are well organised and controlled by their syndicates. There are allegations that the smuggling of such seeds are going on unabated in connivance with some dishonest members of law enforcing agencies.
