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DHAKA, July 20, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam today said that the government will distribute free jute school bags among primary school students under a pilot project, with plans to expand the programme nationwide in phases.

Under the initiative, one selected primary school in each of the country's 495 upazilas will receive the bags, benefiting around 99,000 students. A total of 200 students from each selected school will receive a free jute school bag.

"The programme has been launched under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. If the pilot project is successful, free jute school bags will be distributed among all primary school students across the country in the future," the state minister said.

Shariful made the announcement while speaking to journalists after visiting the jute bag production programme of Jute Fiber BD at Jainabari in Savar this afternoon.

He said 54 small entrepreneurs have been selected to manufacture the bags, which will be procured through the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) PLC, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

Highlighting the government's efforts to strengthen the jute sector, the state minister said Bangladesh needs to import quality jute seeds to meet domestic demand, and the ministries of Agriculture and Textiles and Jute are working jointly to achieve self-sufficiency in jute seed production.

He also said the government is implementing programmes to provide training and credit support to jute farmers, while extending patronage and skill development opportunities to jute goods producers and entrepreneurs.

"The government is working in a coordinated manner to safeguard the interests of jute farmers and promote the sustainable growth of the country's jute industry," he added.

Textiles and Jute Secretary Sharf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury and senior officials of the ministry were also present during the visit.