Jute, the “golden fibre” once at the heart of Bengal’s economy, has brought smiles back to farmers in Faridpur. Good yields and high prices have brought relief to jute growers this year.
The area planted this season exceeded the target, and favourable weather, plenty of water and good care improved not only the yield but also the colour and quality of the fibre. According to the agriculture department, the district produced about 196,000 tonnes of jute this season, and if current prices hold, farmers’ income from jute sales in Faridpur alone could exceed Tk 2,200 crore.
The Department of Agricultural Extension had set a target of 87,328 hectares, and about 87,400 hectares were planted. Good weather from the start of the season meant few problems, and plentiful water in canals and wetlands for retting produced excellent fibre.
On Wednesday (30 September), the main jute markets in the district, including Kanaipur, were busy with new jute. Prices have risen in recent weeks: at Kanaipur, Talma, Kadirdi, Satoir and Baraga markets, jute sells for about Tk 4,600 a maund depending on quality. “The jute and fibre are both excellent this year. Fertiliser, pesticide and irrigation cost a bit more, but selling at Tk 4,600 a maund I’m very happy, with a good profit after costs,” said Sadar upazila farmer Lovelu Mia. Another farmer, Shariful Islam, said good prices were making it easier to pay household costs, children’s education and old debts.
High prices are putting pressure on traders and middlemen, however. With less new jute reaching the markets, they have to pay farmers more, and say their margins on sales to mills and factories have shrunk. “A few weeks ago we bought at Tk 4,000 to Tk 4,200 a maund. Now supply is low and we have to pay Tk 4,600,” said Kanaipur trader Liaquat Munshi.
Shahaduzzaman, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Faridpur, said favourable weather and good care had produced a bumper crop of good quality, and if prices hold, more than Tk 2,200 crore will flow into the local economy from Faridpur, boosting rural spending and business.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report