Low price disappoints jute cultivators in Rangpur zone

RANGPUR, Sept 26: The jute cultivators across Rangpur agriculture region are disappointed due to falling price of the crop during this season.
According to sources although the jute growers under the region witnessed a good yield of the produce this season, they have become disheartened owing to its plummeting price which has been prevailing in markets.
They are counting huge losses as jute is now being sold at Tk 1,250 to Tk 1,500 per maund, depending on quality while its price was Tk 1400 to 1650 in the local markets at the beginning of harvesting season, farmers alleged.
Expressing frustration over low price of the cash crop Ojiar Rahman 55, a jute grower of Char Thakurdas village at Kawnia upazila of Rangpur told The Financial Express that he sold jute at Tk 1,500 per maund this week while it was sold at Tk 2,000 per maund last year, he further said.
Motahar Hossain (50), another jute grower at Nabdiganj village under Pirgachha upazila in Rangpur district said that he cultivated jute on 3 bighas of land this year spending additional money for irrigation and high labour cost. But now he has to incur massive losses on account of low price of the crop, he further said.
Some poor growers also alleged that they are forced to sell their produce to wholesalers on credit under pressure though they do not know when they will get the payment.
Sources alleged that many poor and marginal farmers borrowed money at a high interest rate from the money lenders and NGOs to cultivate the golden fibre. But the low market price of jute has made them apprehensive about repaying their loan.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur sources jute was cultivated on around 63,600 hectares of land during this season in five districts under the zone. The districts are: Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.
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