The recent floods have significantly impacted jute cultivation, particularly in the low-lying areas of Tanagil.
According to local sources, despite facing various challenges in the past led to a decrease in jute cultivation, the crop's popularity among farmers in the district increased in recent years due to favourable prices, resulting in a rise in production.
Tangail Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said jute cultivation has been increasing every year in Tangail due to favourable prices. In the fiscal year 2022-23, 1,81,450 bales of jute has been produced on 1,71,147 hectares of land, while in the FY2023-24, 19,020 hectares produced 252,558 bales.
The sources added that DAE is expecting 2,30,690 bales of jute production on 19,650 hectares of land in the current FY2024-25.
Although there has been increased cultivation this year, many jute farmers have been affected by flooding. In several areas, especially along riverbanks, the jute crops were submerged by floodwaters before they could fully mature and have rotted. As a result, farmers in those regions are facing losses.
After talking with farmers, during a recent visit to various areas in Tangail, this correspondent found mix opinions. Many farmers are busy with late-stage tasks such as harvesting, retting, and drying jute. They said that they are making a profit as the price of jute is between Tk 3,000 and 3,500 per maund.
Other jute farmers, who were affected as their jute were submerged by floodwaters, told The Business Post that, as in previous years, they had planted jute seeds on time and the crops were growing well. However, the recent flood has damaged their crops.
After the flood water receded, they found that the jute in the most low-lying areas had rotted. Some were able to harvest the jute before the water levels rose, while those whose fields remained underwater could still cut their jute on time and process it through retting (a special process for rotting the fibres).
Altab Hossain, a farmer from Narsinghpur village in the Sadar Upazila, said, "I had cultivated jute on about 12 bighas of land and it cost nearly Tk one lakh. All of it was submerged in the flood. I haven't received any assistance from the DAE office despite the damage. Many farmers in our village, like me, have suffered losses."
Abu Bakar Siddique from Shahjani village in Nagarpur Upazila, said, "The flood caused a lot of damage. The land that produced six maunds of jute last year has yielded only one maund this time. If it weren’t for the flood, I could have made a profit."
A farmer from Baruha village in the same upazila, Afaz Ali, said, “I had cultivated jute on two bighas of land. The yield was good, and I sold each maund of jute for Tk 3,500.”
About the wages, Rahim Badsha, who works on extracting fibres from the jute, told The Business Post, “The work of washing jute is more laborious compared to other tasks. I receive insufficient wages than my hard work. I cannot sleep well at night due to itching. I demand increase in my wages.”
Regarding jute price, farmers said that prices in the market vary based on the quality of the jute. The price of the jute will rise if the demand for jute will increase.
Additionally, it is necessary to ensure the use of 100 per cent jute bags instead of plastic ones according to government directives. Furthermore, all jute mills in the country should be operational, and efforts should be made to export jute and jute products abroad.
Agricultural experts in Tangail said that jute cultivation plays a crucial role in improving soil fertility and maintaining environmental balance.
Professor Sirajul Islam of the ESRM department at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University said, “Jute absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. Cultivating jute reduces the amount of carbon dioxide. The land where jute is grown benefits from the falling leaves and the remaining roots after harvesting, which enhance soil fertility. Additionally, jute cultivation does not harm crops in the surrounding areas.”
He further said, “Jute products decompose easily and help maintain environmental balance. There is a high demand for jute products both domestically and internationally.”
Mohammad Kabir Hossain, deputy director of the DAE, said, “Tangail is one of the key districts for jute cultivation. We are encouraging farmers and providing advice and support, which is leading to improved jute yields.
“Assistance including seeds has been provided to 6,200 farmers. By cultivating jute, farmers are receiving fair prices.”
