Charcoal from jute sticks

It is heartening to note that charcoal, a kind of half-burnt wood or ash, is going to be a major export item in near future as Bangladesh is eyeing to fetch an estimated Taka 2,500 crore each year from the carbon residue made of locally grown jute sticks. According to a report in this newspaper yesterday, commercial producers and exporters of charcoal recently informed the Jute and Textile Ministry that right incentives can lead to a generation of 2.5 lakh metric tons of ‘activated charcoal’ from jute sticks per annum and that can be exported to a number of countries that include: Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, USA and Canada.
State Minister for Jute and Textile Mirza Azam at an inter-ministerial meeting on promotion of charcoal said that activated charcoal from jute sticks has ushered in a new era to revive the golden age of jute through its diversified uses. The farmers would be more interested to grow jute again in the country.  There is no denying the fact that prospect of jute, once considered as the ‘golden fibre’ of Bengal, is bright in the country though some bottlenecks are responsible for its lack lustre condition. With the passage of time demand for jute and jute products started to fall. Failing  to get even the production cost of jute, many growers stopped cultivation of jute and turned to cultivation of other crops including paddy.
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.  Considering the dismal plight of farmers and for salvaging the jute industry from the dire strait the government has taken some pragmatic measures. What is needed now is the proper execution of the government policy relating to the jute sector.  
Charcoal from jute sticks has added a feather to the jute industry. The charcoal producers should be provided cash incentive and soft bank loans to augment its production. Besides, jute growers should be supplied with quality jute seeds for boosting jute production. At the same time steps should be taken so that the growers get fair price of jute. The Agriculture Ministry and the Department of Agriculture Extension can play vital roles in this regard. The lost glory of jute must be revived for the benefit of the farmers and in the interest of the national economy.  

Charcoal from jute sticks

It is heartening to note that charcoal, a kind of half-burnt wood or ash, is going to be a major export item in near future as Bangladesh is eyeing to fetch an estimated Taka 2,500 crore each year from the carbon residue made of locally grown jute sticks. According to a report in this newspaper yesterday, commercial producers and exporters of charcoal recently informed the Jute and Textile Ministry that right incentives can lead to a generation of 2.5 lakh metric tons of activated charcoal from jute sticks per annum and that can be exported to a number of countries that include: Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, USA and Canada. State Minister for Jute and Textile Mirza Azam at an inter-ministerial meeting on promotion of charcoal said that activated charcoal from jute sticks has ushered in a new era to revive the golden age of jute through its diversified uses. The farmers would be more interested to grow jute again in the country. There is no denying the fact that prospect of jute, once considered as the golden fibre of Bengal, is bright in the country though some bottlenecks are responsible for its lack lustre condition. With the passage of time demand for jute and jute products started to fall. Failing to get even the production cost of jute, many growers stopped cultivation of jute and turned to cultivation of other crops including paddy. 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. Considering the dismal plight of farmers and for salvaging the jute industry from the dire strait the government has taken some pragmatic measures. What is needed now is the proper execution of the government policy relating to the jute sector. Charcoal from jute sticks has added a feather to the jute industry. The charcoal producers should be provided cash incentive and soft bank loans to augment its production. Besides, jute growers should be supplied with quality jute seeds for boosting jute production. At the same time steps should be taken so that the growers get fair price of jute. The Agriculture Ministry and the Department of Agriculture Extension can play vital roles in this regard. The lost glory of jute must be revived for the benefit of the farmers and in the interest of the national economy.