Reviving the lost glory of jute

The lost glory of jute must be revived for the benefit of the farmers and in the interest of the national economy

It is heartening to note that jute growers are happy as both yield and market price are better everywhere in Rajshahi region including its vast Barind tract this year, according to a report in this newspaper yesterday. There is no denying the fact that prospect for jute, once considered as the ‘golden fibre’ of Bengal, is on the whole bright in the country. There was a time when many farmers would make their yearly family budgets mainly depending on the returns they would get from the sale of jute. With the passage of time demand for jute and jute products started to fall. This poured cold water into the enthusiasm of jute growers.
The situation came to such a pass that farmers failed to get even the production cost of jute. Extremely frustrated, many growers stopped cultivation of jute and turned to cultivation of other crops including paddy. Fall in demand for jute and jute products took its toll on the agrarian economy. Widespread use of polythene bags contributed to environmental pollution. However, ban on production and use of polythene bags put a brake on the invasion of polythene bags but use of jute bags and jute products which is environment-friendly is yet to be introduced in a remarkable way.
Over the past few years farmers incurred losses by cultivating jute. Bumper production of jute could not make farmers happy as the prices of jute were below the production cost. Considering the dismal plight of farmers and for salvaging the jute industry from dire straits the government has taken some pragmatic measures. What is needed now is the proper execution of the government policy relating to the jute sector.
There is no alternative to ensuring fair price of jute for the benefit of the growers. The policy of mandatory use of jute bags has to be properly enforced. Buying of jute products also need to be encouraged. The shut down state-run jute mills should be reopened again. This will create employment opportunity for many people.
 The lost glory of jute must be revived for the benefit of the farmers and in the interest of the national economy. Farmers should be provided with quality seeds, easy term bank loan for buying agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides for boosting jute production. If fair price is ensured growers will not turn away from jute cultivation. The Agriculture Ministry and the Department of Agriculture Extension can play vital roles in this regard. Mere rhetoric will not do; what is needed is concrete action.

Reviving the lost glory of jute

The lost glory of jute must be revived for the benefit of the farmers and in the interest of the national economy

It is heartening to note that jute growers are happy as both yield and market price are better everywhere in Rajshahi region including its vast Barind tract this year, according to a report in this newspaper yesterday. There is no denying the fact that prospect for jute, once considered as the golden fibre of Bengal, is on the whole bright in the country. There was a time when many farmers would make their yearly family budgets mainly depending on the returns they would get from the sale of jute. With the passage of time demand for jute and jute products started to fall. This poured cold water into the enthusiasm of jute growers. The situation came to such a pass that farmers failed to get even the production cost of jute. Extremely frustrated, many growers stopped cultivation of jute and turned to cultivation of other crops including paddy. Fall in demand for jute and jute products took its toll on the agrarian economy. Widespread use of polythene bags contributed to environmental pollution. However, ban on production and use of polythene bags put a brake on the invasion of polythene bags but use of jute bags and jute products which is environment-friendly is yet to be introduced in a remarkable way. Over the past few years farmers incurred losses by cultivating jute. Bumper production of jute could not make farmers happy as the prices of jute were below the production cost. Considering the dismal plight of farmers and for salvaging the jute industry from dire straits the government has taken some pragmatic measures. What is needed now is the proper execution of the government policy relating to the jute sector. There is no alternative to ensuring fair price of jute for the benefit of the growers. The policy of mandatory use of jute bags has to be properly enforced. Buying of jute products also need to be encouraged. The shut down state-run jute mills should be reopened again. This will create employment opportunity for many people. The lost glory of jute must be revived for the benefit of the farmers and in the interest of the national economy. Farmers should be provided with quality seeds, easy term bank loan for buying agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides for boosting jute production. If fair price is ensured growers will not turn away from jute cultivation. The Agriculture Ministry and the Department of Agriculture Extension can play vital roles in this regard. Mere rhetoric will not do; what is needed is concrete action.