শুক্রবার, ০৩ জুলাই ২০২৬, ০৮:০৬ অপরাহ্ন
RANGPUR, July 3, 2026 (BSS) – For the first time in recent years, farmers have exceeded the jute cultivation target in the Rangpur agricultural region this season.
Encouraged by consistently good yields and attractive market prices in recent years, farmers have shown keen interest in cultivating the country’s ‘golden fibre’, resulting in cultivation beyond the official target.
Young jute plants are growing well under favourable weather conditions, raising hopes of a bumper harvest this season. Farmers are expected to begin harvesting the fibre crop from the middle of this month.
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said the excellent growth of jute plants, aided by frequent rainfall, indicates a plentiful production of fibre this season.
The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and other agriculture-related organisations have provided farmers with the necessary support to make the intensive jute cultivation programme a success.
Earlier, the government supplied farmers with high-quality, high-yielding jute seeds, training and other inputs to expand cultivation, increase production and help restore the crop to its former glory.
Despite continued crop diversification and the expansion of Aus rice and maize cultivation, farmers have brought more land under high-yielding jute varieties, exceeding the cultivation target in the Rangpur agricultural region for the first time in recent years.
“With the aim of earning higher profits and restoring the past glory of this golden fibre, farmers are optimistic about achieving the production target through the expansion of high-yielding jute varieties,” said DAE Additional Director (Rangpur Region) Md Sirajul Islam.
“The government set a target of cultivating Tosha, Deshi, Mechta and Kenaf varieties of jute on 49,930 hectares of land across the region during the current Kharif-1 season,” he said.
“However, farmers have cultivated jute on 50,792 hectares, exceeding the target by 862 hectares, or 1.73 per cent,” Islam added.
The DAE is also providing farmers with training on ribbon retting and other fibre extraction methods to maintain quality in the event of water shortages, enabling them to secure better prices for the golden fibre.
Predicting a bumper production this season, he said demand for jute has increased steadily since it was declared a national agricultural product and the mandatory use of jute bags was introduced in various sectors.
“Besides earning good profits from jute cultivation, farmers also benefit because decomposed jute leaves and deep roots act as organic fertiliser, improving soil health and fertility,” he added.
Farmer Isahaque Ali of Kathihara village in Rangpur Sadar upazila told BSS that growers expect good prices for jute fibre this year, similar to last season, when it sold for between Tk 5,000 and Tk 6,000 per maund.
“Farmers have started preparing to harvest the crop and ret jute in water bodies. They are also using the latest ribbon-retting technology where water is scarce to ensure high-quality fibre and better prices,” he said.
Farmers Bakul Hossain, Golam Hossain, Abdul Haque and Mansur Ali from different villages in the district also expressed optimism about a bumper harvest and said they are preparing to begin harvesting the crop from the third week of this month.
