Nirmal Sarker
Farmers of Bera Upazila of Pabna district experienced bumper production of jute but they are not satisfied with the price of the golden fibre. Despite this, more and more farmers are showing interest in jute cultivation.
Once, the farmers of the upazila were fully depended on Jute. The soil quality of the upazila is suitable for farming any crops.
The river Jamuna carries huge sediment from upstream during monsoon and makes the land more fertile. The golden soil increased the production of the golden fibre.
Thousands of hectors of crop lands are being flooded every year. At the same time, the nature makes the land fertile spreading the sediment.
Few countries of the world have been making alternative jute fibre which pushes the jute producing countries into threat.
Jute production came to the minimum level in the developing countries as the demand of jute fibre is being reduced in the world market.
Now the situation has changed a lot. As the jute substitute is a great threat for the environment, the developed world has become interested to use environment-friendly jute scrapping the artificial fibre. Thus, jute is getting back its lost glory.
The jute farmers of the upazila cultivated jute on 2,440 hectors of land in last season. They cultivated jute on 2860 hectors of land this year. The farmers are happy as there is adequate water in the water bodies for rotting jute.
This correspondent talked to farmers Quader Sheikh of Nakalia Village, Rustam Bepari of Dhalar Char, Bablu Majhi of Kharbagan, Akram Ali and Ramzan Sheikh of Kazir haat, Yasin of Panchuria Village, Torab of Chechania Village and elderly Nur Mohammad of Amaikola Village.
Kader Sheikh of Nakalia Village said most of the land he cultivates go under water at the char area during monsoon but it does not harm jute plants. The water flows out after three or four days.
He also said he cultivated JR 524 variety of jute this year and got bumper production.
Farmer Yasin Ali of Panchura Village said he got 36-40 kg jute fibre from one acre of land.
Nur Mohammad of Amaikola Village said “We will start cultivating jute as its price and demand have increase. Now people will be able to buy jute rope instead of Nylon rope. We will also get money selling the jute stick’.
Bumper production of jute makes the farmers happy but they do not get fair prices selling the jute fibre.
They said if government sets up temporary purchase centre and buy jute fibre from famers directly, they will then get fair prices.