Razzaque urges India not to dump jute seeds

Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque has requested authorities concerned in India to halt the dumping of jute seeds in Bangladesh.

Making the call at a discussion in the capital’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, he pointed out, “India cultivates Jute in infertile lands, and exports seeds to Bangladesh at lower prices compared to that of locally produced jute seeds.

“We have requested India multiple times not to dump jute seeds in Bangladesh, but they are not hearing our pleas.”

The textiles and jute ministry organised this discussion and an award ceremony to mark the National Jute Day, and handed over awards to 11 people for their remarkable contribution to this sector.

Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi participated in the programme as special guest.

Addressing the event presided over by ministry Secretary Md Abdur Rouf, Razzaque continued, “The government is working to increase production and export of jute and Jute products. We are focusing on this sector so that Bangladesh can sustainably compete with India.

“It will not be long before the golden era of jute returns to Bangladesh.”

‘Self-sufficiency in 3 years’

Razzaque said the agriculture ministry has prepared a roadmap for the jute sector, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in jute seed production within three years.

He added, “We no longer want to be dependent on any country, we want to be self-sufficient in Jute seed production. The agriculture ministry prepared a roadmap in this regard.

“The Jute Research Institute has already developed good quality seeds which are far better than the Indian seeds. We are working to popularise locally invented seeds to farmers. The demand for jute and jute products is increasing day by day.”

The minister mentioned that Bangladesh’s jute production doubled in the last 12 years, and reached 1.7 million tonnes in recent times, which was 1 million tonnes in Fiscal Year 2005-2006.

Also putting an emphasis on vegetable and fruit exports, Razzaque said, “If we can bring cash utilising the export opportunity of vegetables and fruits, export earnings from agricultural products will exceed $10 billion.”