Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, June 15, 2025 (BSS) - The tender jute plants are growing magnificently amidst a favorable weather now predicting a bumper production of the 'golden fibre of jute' this season in Rangpur agricultural region.
 
Enthusiastic farmers will begin harvesting the fibre crop from next month.
 
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said jute plants are growing superbly, predicting a profuse production this season. 
 
Talking to BSS, several farmers said they are expecting good prices for jute fibre in the local market this year as well, similar to the prices they received last season between Taka 4,000 and Taka 5,000 per mound.
 
Meanwhile, farmers have started preparing to harvest and rot jute plants in water bodies, and also using the latest ribbon-retting technology in case of water shortage, to ensure high-quality fibre and get a high price.
 
"The government has fixed a target of producing 7,09,799 bales of jute from 54,669 hectares of land for the region during the current Kharif-1 season," said Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Agriculturist Md 
Shafikul Islam.
 
The target includes production of 6,23,450 bales of 'Tosha' variety jute fibre from 49,200 hectares of land, 32,565 bales of 'Deshi' variety from 3,573 hectares, 2,124 bales of 'Mechta' variety from 354 hectares and 5,315 bales of Kenaf variety from 440 hectares of land.
 
"However, farmers have finally cultivated jute on 48,457 hectares of land, less by 6,121 hectares of land or 6.22 percent against the fixed farming target for the crop this time," Islam said.
 
The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and other agriculture-related organisations extended essential support to farmers to make the jute intensive farming programme a success this season.
 
"The government has provided farmers with high-yielding varieties of improved quality jute seeds, training and inputs so that they can expand jute farming to increase jute production and restore the past glory of the fiber crop," he said. 
 
Although the target for jute cultivation has been slightly reduced due to crop diversification and the cultivation of Aush rice and maize on more land, farmers have cultivated high-yielding varieties of jute on more land.
 
"As a result, farmers are hopeful of achieving the production targets set for expanding cultivation of high-yielding varieties of jute this year," he added.
 
Agriculturist Md Sirajul Islam, deputy director of the DAE for Rangpur district, has predicted a bumper production of jute due to excellent growth of tender jute plants amid favorable climate and frequent rainfall.
 
The DAE is providing necessary training to farmers to separate and decompose jute fibre in case of water shortage so that they can ensure better quality to get high prices for the golden fibre. 
 
"Apart from good profits from jute cultivation, farmers also benefit from jute farming because after harvesting, its leaves and deep roots, after decomposition, become organic fertilizer that improves soil health and fertility," he said. 
 
The demand for jute has been increasing steadily in recent years after jute was declared a national agricultural product and the use of jute bags was ensured in various sectors.
 
Talking to BSS, farmers Ishaq Ali, Nurunnabi Sarkar, Mohammad Ariful Haque and Manik Mia from different villages here said they are expecting bumper production of jute and are preparing to harvest the fibre crop from the third week of next month.