Home ›› 10 Sep 2022 ›› Nation
Sirajganj district had a bumper harvest of jute this season and farmers are currently busy selling jute fibre at the floating market of Natuarpara by the banks of Jamuna River.
Sales begin at the break of dawn and go on till mid-day twice a week. Currently, jute is being sold at Tk 2,500-2,600 per maund. About Tk 25-30 lakhs worth of jute is sold during each haat.
Along with the locals, farmers and wholesalers from Bogura, Tangail and Jamalpur come to buy and sell jute at this traditional bazaar.
According to district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources, the target of jute cultivation this year in 9 upazilas of the district was 16,840 hectares of land. The cultivation target has been achieved on 12,364 hectares of land.
Out of this, Tosha jute is cultivated on 11,770 hectares, Kenap jute on 3,385 hectares, Mesta jute on 535 hectares, and the indigenous variety on 1,050 hectares.
The sales begin after the process of separating jute stick from jute fibre is done. This season the farmers have made a good profit after covering the cost of production due to a good market price.
Natuarpara jute haat has been a popular market for the jute farmers and traders of the region for decades.
Natuarpara haat committee member Abdur Rahim said after dawn breaks on the set days of the week, traders from various upazilas including Kazipur, Jamalpur’s Sarishabari, Bogura’s Sariakandi, Dhunat, Sherpur, Tangail’s Bhuapur come to this haat to buy jute.
“Transport cost via river is easy and relatively cheap, which benefits both the sellers and the buyers. The haat is very popular since commuting is easier,” he said.
Jute trader Azahar Ali of Sarishabari upazila said it is easy to haul jute from one boat to another and then transport them to the desired destination. “I buy 50-60 maunds jute every haat day and transport them to be sold at retail markets,” he added.
“It is easier to travel by boat in this region as there are many rivers and canals. Hence transporting goods via boat is cheaper and less hassle,” said Alamin Sekh Bepari of Bhuapur.
Abdur Hadiudzzaman, a jute farmer of Natuarpara said, “I cultivated jute on 4 bighas of land this year. I lost some crops from water damage due to flooding but I got a good price from selling the rest.”
Haat lessee and Natuarpara UP chairman Abdul Mannan said wholesalers come to buy and sell jute in this market from different upazilas in the region.
Jute harvest season is from August to October and the farmers are happy as jute prices are good this year, he also said, adding, “Around 2,500 people come here to buy and sell every haat day. A part of the haat is on land for the convenience of those who prefer land transport.”
Bablu Kumar Sutradhar, Deputy Director of the District Department of Agricultural Extension, said due to continuous flash floods this year, the jute harvest did not reach the expected target. Jute yield has been an average of 7-8 maunds per bigha this year in the district.
“However, the farmers are happy with the prices of Tk 2,500-2,600 per maund. We expect more farmers to cultivate jute next year as it is profitable,” he said.
