True to the slogan "Full of golden fibre, we love Faridpur", Faridpur district has kept its top position in the country in jute cultivation. This year jute cultivation in Faridpur has exceeded its target, and the soil and weather here suit the crop. But while the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) expects a bumper harvest, farmers are worried because there is not enough water in canals and beels to ret the jute. And if they do not get a good price despite higher costs, there is the worry of losses.

According to the district DAE office, Faridpur's golden fibre is not only the district's identity but also a symbol of farmers' lives and livelihoods, and it is hoped that with the right policy and support the tradition will grow richer. Jute cultivation has risen somewhat compared with last year. This year jute has been grown on 86,531 hectares, exceeding the target; the target set last time was 86,525 hectares.

Overall the jute crop is very satisfactory this year and there is a chance of a bumper harvest. However, in some low-lying land where rainwater stood for a long time, the plants did not grow as tall as expected, causing limited damage. Despite this, jute yields have been good in most of the district, giving farmers hope.

Farmers say they are worried about fair prices for jute. Production costs have risen because of higher prices for seed, organic and chemical fertiliser, pesticides and labour, reducing their chances of profit. They have called on the government to ensure fair prices and to cut the prices of seed, fertiliser and pesticides.

Habibur Rahman, a jute farmer from Gatti village in Saltha upazila, told Jagonews24: "This year jute cost at least Tk 35,000 to Tk 40,000 a bigha. The yield is good this time. We hope to produce 10 to 12 kg of jute per decimal."

Farid Molla of Bhawal village and Suder Biswas of Purura village in the same upazila told Jagonews24: "Everything from seed, fertiliser and pesticide has gone up in price. Labour is expensive. Because of the lack of rain we had to irrigate by machine several times. Now we are worried. There is no water in the canals, beels, rivers or ponds; where will we ret the jute? Without good water the jute's colour will not be good. Our demand is that we get a good price for jute."

Sweet Mondal of Baikhir village in Chatul union, Boalmari upazila, told Jagonews24: "If government patronage and a fair price are ensured, the prospects for jute will grow further. But everything costs more, so the cost of growing jute has risen. There is no water in the nearby canals, beels or ponds. Where will we ret the jute? If after all this we do not get the price we want, we will suffer losses."

Agriculturist Md Shahaduzzaman, deputy director of the DAE in Faridpur, said: "Faridpur district is always at the top in jute production. This year jute cultivation has exceeded the target. I hope there will be a bumper harvest."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.