Decrease in jute cultivation

If fair price is ensured growers will not turn away from jute cultivation

It is unfortunate that jute production in Bangladesh is gradually going down. A report published in this newspaper on January 10 mentioned that jute production has fallen alarmingly in the Nilphamari region. It will certainly affect the local economy, if this decline continues. Previously, jute was cultivated in 1,24,922 hectares of arable land in Nilphamari district. But in recent times, only 11,000 hectares are used for this purpose. This might be quite frustrating for thousands of peasants who depended on the crop for their survival.

Once, jute was the biggest contributor to the national exchequer in terms of foreign earnings.  With the decline of production of jute in our country, our neighbours across the border have seized the rising demand for jute products in the global market and have established new jute mills.

Internationally a noticeable growth has been observed over the past years in the jute bag market. This can be attributed to the fact that jute is biodegradable and the market for environment friendly product is rising rapidly in the West.

Despite enacting a mandatory law in 2010 on the use of jute bags for packaging foodstuffs, agricultural products and in kitchen markets, the concerned authority is yet to implement the law - allegedly under pressure of certain business groups. Once the law is effectively implemented – an expected demand for 100 crore jute bags will be created each year. It'll also increase the demand of jute and jute products in the local market. If this demand is met, it will reduce pollution caused by the rampant consumption of plastic and polythene. Coupled with the law enforcers the general public too should inspire others to use jute products while reduce dependency on plastic and polythene products.

One of the main reasons behind this downward trend in jute production is the failure to pay the farmers their due. Media reports suggest that farmers are losing interest in cultivating jute as they rarely get expected price for their produce. Farmers should be provided with quality seeds, easy term bank loan for buying agricultural inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides for boosting jute production. If fair price is ensured growers will not turn away from jute cultivation.

We hope that the Nilphamari region will again see cultivation of jute as it used to be in the past. There is a great demand in the global market and we should no longer miss out.

 

Decrease in jute cultivation

If fair price is ensured growers will not turn away from jute cultivation

It is unfortunate that jute production in Bangladesh is gradually going down. A report published in this newspaper on January 10 mentioned that jute production has fallen alarmingly in the Nilphamari region. It will certainly affect the local economy, if this decline continues. Previously, jute was cultivated in 1,24,922 hectares of arable land in Nilphamari district. But in recent times, only 11,000 hectares are used for this purpose. This might be quite frustrating for thousands of peasants who depended on the crop for their survival. Once, jute was the biggest contributor to the national exchequer in terms of foreign earnings. With the decline of production of jute in our country, our neighbours across the border have seized the rising demand for jute products in the global market and have established new jute mills. Internationally a noticeable growth has been observed over the past years in the jute bag market. This can be attributed to the fact that jute is biodegradable and the market for environment friendly product is rising rapidly in the West. Despite enacting a mandatory law in 2010 on the use of jute bags for packaging foodstuffs, agricultural products and in kitchen markets, the concerned authority is yet to implement the law - allegedly under pressure of certain business groups. Once the law is effectively implemented an expected demand for 100 crore jute bags will be created each year. Itll also increase the demand of jute and jute products in the local market. If this demand is met, it will reduce pollution caused by the rampant consumption of plastic and polythene. Coupled with the law enforcers the general public too should inspire others to use jute products while reduce dependency on plastic and polythene products. One of the main reasons behind this downward trend in jute production is the failure to pay the farmers their due. Media reports suggest that farmers are losing interest in cultivating jute as they rarely get expected price for their produce. Farmers should be provided with quality seeds, easy term bank loan for buying agricultural inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides for boosting jute production. If fair price is ensured growers will not turn away from jute cultivation. We hope that the Nilphamari region will again see cultivation of jute as it used to be in the past. There is a great demand in the global market and we should no longer miss out.