Jute cultivation increases in Gopalganj

Jute cultivation has increased in Gopalganj by 286 hectares of land in the current Kharif-1 season.

Gopalganj Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target of jute cultivation on 24,140 hectares of land in five upazilas of the district. The production target of jute in the district is 51,232 tonnes.

Farmers have exceeded the plantation target, however, due to seed and fertiliser incentives. Jute has been cultivated on 24,396 hectares of land.

According to Gopalganj DAE, the target of jute cultivation has been set on 5,125 hectares in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, 8,505 hectares in Muksudpur, 8,150 hectares in Kashiani, 850 hectares in Kotalipara and 1,510 hectares in Tungipara.

Cultivation has been done on 5,183 hectares in Sadar upazila, 8,594 hectares in Muksudpur, 8,180 hectares in Kashiani, 889 hectares in Kotalipara and 1,550 hectares in Tungipara upazila.

Among the cultivated varieties of jute, domestic variety has been planted in 25 hectares, Toshapat in 23,816 hectares and Mestapat in 555 hectares.

Gopalganj DAE Deputy Director A Quader Sardar said 18,000 farmers of 5 upazilas of Gopalganj district have been given incentives for jute during the current Kharif season.

“Besides, the price of jute is good in the market. Farmers increased jute cultivation as the weather conditions were favourable,” he added.

Farmer Sabbir Hossain of Boalia village of Sadar upazila said, “I planted jute on two acres of land last year and got a bumper yield with fair prices. This year I cultivated jute on three acres after getting incentives from the agriculture department.”

He added that he expects a profit of Tk 1.5 lakh this season from jute cultivation.

Jute trader Sajal Saha of Gohala village of Muksudpur upazila said the mills have competed over buying jute this year so the prices are high.