Bangladesh, especially the northern part of the country, is expected to have bumper jute production this season owing to favourable climatic condition and adoption of latest farming technologies by jute growers, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
Farmers have sown 'Tosha' variety jute on 202,880 hectares, 'Deshi' variety on 13,281 hectares and 'Mechhta' variety jute on 4,172 hectares of land this season, Bangladesh news agency BSS reported.
There was adequate availability of quality jute seeds during the sowing season and growers were easily able to buy the same from the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation and other organizations.
Instead of the traditional method of using 2.5 to 3.5 kg seed per acre, jute cultivators are now using only 2 kg seed per acre through the Six Line Pick Up Jute Seeding Method.
Jute farming in Bangladesh has now acquired a new dimension due to increase in exports, revival of closed jute mills, disbursement of incentives and other steps taken by the Government, the BSS report stated quoting Mr. MA Mazid, associate director agriculture of BRAC International.
According to Mr. Mazid, Bangladeshi farmers have begun adopting latest jute sowing technology through the use of seeder machines that save on seeds and cut farming costs, and enable growers to reap bumper crop and more profits.
The increasing international demand for eco-friendly fibres like jute is also a reason for growing interest of Bangladeshi farmers in jute cultivation.
In fiscal year 2011-12, the state-owned Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) produced 176,000 tons of jute as compared to its previous fiscal’s production of 160,000 tons.
During the same fiscal, BJMC exported Tk 10.58 billion worth of jute items, which was little higher than its previous year’s exports of Tk 9.43 billion.
Source:
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=148417
