Farmers worry over fair price despite good jute yield

Farmers in Faridpur are expecting a good harvest of quality jute this season, but rising production costs and uncertainty over market prices have raised concerns about whether they will be able to make a reasonable profit.

Faridpur is one of Bangladesh’s major jute-producing districts, and this year farmers have cultivated the crop on more land than the target set by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

Favourable weather, adequate rainfall and sufficient water in canals and beels during the harvesting period have contributed to good yields and improved colour and quality of the golden fibre, according to the DAE.

It expects around 196,000 tonnes of jute to be produced in the district this season.

Jute is currently selling for Tk 4,000 to Tk 4,200 per maund at markets, including Kanaipur, Nalermor, Talma, Kadirdi, Satoir and Boroga, depending on its variety and quality.

At the current market price, the total value of this season’s jute could exceed Tk 2,000 crore, according to the DAE.

But farmers say the rising cost of fertiliser, seed, labour and other inputs has made it increasingly difficult for them to earn a reasonable return.

According to DAE sources, the target for jute cultivation in Faridpur this season was 87,328 hectares. However, farmers cultivated the crop on around 87,400 hectares – about 72 hectares more than the target.

Faridpur DAE Deputy Director Md Shahaduzzaman said the weather had been particularly favourable for jute cultivation this year.

“Especially during the harvesting period, there was sufficient water in the canals and beels, which helped ensure good colour and quality of the fibre,” he said, adding that they expect around 196,000 tonnes of jute to be produced in Faridpur this season.

However, the good harvest has not completely eased farmers’ concerns.

Jute growers say the cost of production has increased significantly compared to previous years due to higher prices of fertiliser, seed, labour and other agricultural inputs.

Saiful Islam, Nasir Hossain and Anwar Hossain, among other jute farmers in Saltha, said they are happy with the yield but worried about the return.

“The yield has been good, but the prices of fertiliser, seed, labour and other inputs have increased. Unless we get more than Tk 4,000 per maund, it will be difficult to make a profit. There is even a risk of losses,” one of them said.

Farmers urged the authorities to take effective measures to ensure a fair price for jute, taking into account production costs and the prevailing market situation.

They said a fair price will not only protect farmers from losses but also encourage them to continue cultivating the country’s traditional cash crop.

With favourable weather delivering a bumper harvest, farmers now hope that the market will respond in the same way – giving them a return that matches the effort and rising cost of producing the golden fibre.

Source: UNB NEWS