Gopalganj farmers to get half a billion from jute sale in two upazilas

Jute farmers in Gopalganj's Muksudpur and Kashiani upazilas will get half a billion taka this year by selling jute sticks.

The Department of Agricultural Extension, (DAE), Gopalganj, targeted 68,960 tonnes of jute stick production from the jute cultivated on 17,240 hectares in two upazilas this year. These sticks have a market price of about Tk 551.68 million, as per tonne of jute sticks are being sold at Tk 8,000 to Tk 8,500.

Tanjirul Islam (Sadin), a jute farmer of village Jonasoor under Kashiani's Mahespur, said he cultivated jute on three acres of land this year and he has been selling per maund of jute sticks at Tk 550 to Tk 600.

Muhammad Abu Sufian, sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO) of Kashiani's Maheshpur, said a total of 1,900 hectares of land were brought under jute farming in Mahespur. He added that farmers in the area are interested in farming the crop due to the profit they make from it.

Dr. Md. Mamunur

Rahman, deputy director, (DD), Gopalganj, told the FE that jute stick has a huge demand in the markets as it is used for fuel as well as for fencing and roofing in betel gardens. About 323,000 farmers are involved in jute farming on 24,859 hectares in the district this year and the production target is set at 99,436 tonnes, the DD added.

Lal Mia Sheikh (55), a jute sticks trader of Pashirhat in Barisal's Agailjhara upazila, said he has been in jute stick trading business for the past seven years and jute sticks are crucial for betel leaf farming. He said he purchases jute sticks from Shibgati market in Gopalganj every year to meet up shortages. He also said price of jute sticks is higher in Shibgati compared to other areas.

Montu Mollah (50), a jute farmer of Muksudpur's Gobindapur, said he cultivated jute on 3.50 acres of land and got a yield of 77 maunds of jute fiber, which has a market price of Tk 320,000.

He further said he got 150 maunds of jute sticks, which has a market price of Tk 50,000.

Md. Mizanur Rahman, upazila agriculture officer (UAO), Muksudpur, Gopalganj, said farmers in this region get 19,000 tonnes of jute fiber and 39,000 tonnes of jute sticks from the crop cultivated on 9,519 hectares. The jute fiber has a market price of Tk 1903.8 million, while the jute sticks can be sold at around Tk 304.6 million.

The UAO further said that about 5,700 farmers are involved in jute farming in the upazila.

Pritish Das, sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO) of Muksudpur's Gobindopur Union, said a total of 1,200 hectares of land have been brought under jute farming in the union and as the growers are getting a good profit from selling jute sticks, they are more interested in farming the golden fiber.

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