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Jute growers in Magura district are counting losses as they are not even getting back their production cost.
During a visit to different villages in the district, this correspondent found jute harvesting has already been completed. Farmers are rushing to the market with their product. But they return home with their unsold jute.
Farmer Jagadish Bashu of village Norihati under Sadar upazila said, "I brought my two bighas of land under jute cultivation. I got 16 bales of jute. I took my jute to Natun Bazar of Magura town for sale. But I returned home with my unsold jute as the traders offered me Tk 1400 to 1500 per maund while my production cost is Tk 1800 per maund."
Another farmer Nitay Shikder of village Ambalsher under Sreepur upazila of Magura said, "I have come to this haat (Langalbandh) with my jute. But traders are showing reluctance to purchase jute. Now I am returning home with my unsold jute."
Another farmer Abdul Kader of village Akshi under Magura sadar upazila said, "I brought my three bighas of land under jute cultivation this year. I incurred loss of Tk 13,000 by selling my jute. We are selling jute at Tk 1400 to 1500 per maund as against Tk 3000 to 3400 last year."
He alleged, "Actually, traders are exploiting us by making syndicate".
Jute trader Uday Shaha of Narun Bazar area in Magura town said, "After the closure of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC)'s purchase center, the price of jute has fallen in the market significantly."
He further said, "Private mills are not purchasing jute at present. Consequently, we are not showing interest in purchasing jute."
"Moreover, due to poor rainfall this season retting of jute was badly hampered. For this, jute has lost its quality in the district," he added.
Another trader Balay Shaha of Razapurbazar under Mohammadpur upazila of Magura said, "We are still holding unsold jute of last year."
He said, "Jute industry will face ruination in the country unless the government adopts proper policy in this regard right now".
Chief jute inspector, Magura, Sayed Alauddin, was not available for comment on the phone despite repeated attempts.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Magura sources informed that they brought about 35,495 hectares of land under jute cultivation in the district this year. A total of 49,6990 bales of jute have been produced in the district this season.
Former chief jute inspector Hashem Ali informed that last year jute price was high due to instruction over price by the jute ministry. But this year, the price is low as no such instruction has been issued in this regard.
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