Low yields, uncertain prices worry jute farmers in Lalmonirhat

Jute farmers in Lalmonirhat are facing a difficult season as lower-than-expected yields and uncertainty over market prices raise fears of further losses.

Farmers fear that unless they receive a fair price that covers their production costs, many of them may lose interest in cultivating the “golden fibre” next year after suffering losses in recent seasons.

Jute has been cultivated this year in the char areas and villages of Aditmari, Kaliganj, Hatibandha, Patgram and Sadar upazilas of the district.

Farmers have shown particular interest in cultivating jute on unused and flood-prone land along the Teesta, Dharla and Saniajan rivers, as well as on some higher lands. Many have also planted jute on land where rice and other crops do not grow well.

However, their hopes for a good harvest have been dampened by adverse weather, waterlogging and disease, while uncertainty over market prices remains a major concern.

During visits to different parts of the district, many farmers were seen busy extracting fibre from harvested jute. Some fields were still awaiting full maturity, while harvested jute was at different stages of retting.

After harvesting, farmers tie the jute into bundles and submerge them in ponds, canals and other water bodies for retting. After about 20 to 25 days, the fibre is extracted and dried in the sun.

Farmers said they had to irrigate their fields because of a dry spell at the beginning of the season. Later, heavy rainfall and waterlogging affected the crop, while disease also became more widespread in several areas.

As a result, yields have fallen below expectations in many places, they said.

Jute growers said they had struggled to recover their production costs in recent years because of low market prices, with some having to sell their crops at a loss.

“The once golden fibre has become a noose around our necks,” one farmer said, expressing frustration over repeated losses. “This year the harvest is poor. If we do not get a good price, we will not be able to recover our losses.”

Farmers are also concerned about the role of local traders and middlemen during the peak harvesting season.

They alleged that some traders and middlemen form informal syndicates to influence local markets and force farmers to sell jute below production costs.

According to the farmers, the jute is later sold at higher prices, allowing traders to make profits.

Farmers said they will benefit most if the government ensures fair prices and directly procures jute from growers.

They also demanded a jute procurement system similar to the arrangements for rice and wheat.

Samad Mia, a jute farmer from Aditmari upazila, said greater transparency is needed in providing training, quality seeds and agricultural inputs to genuine jute growers.

“If farmers who actually cultivate jute receive training, quality seeds and incentives on a priority basis, production can be increased,” he said.

Nur Habib, a farmer from Cholbola union in Kaliganj upazila, said prolonged waterlogging has affected the growth of jute plants.

“The jute plants have not grown tall this year because water remained in the fields for a long time. The prospects are not good, and we may have to suffer losses again,” he said.

Saidul Islam, a farmer from a char area, said farmers continued to cultivate jute hoping for better returns, but many ended up counting losses.

“We cultivate jute with hope every year, but we often suffer losses. Excessive rain has affected the growth of the plants this year, resulting in lower yields,” he said.

“We want the government to fix a fair price for jute so that we can recover at least part of our losses,” he added.

Md Matul Alam, additional deputy director (Crop) of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Lalmonirhat, said jute has been cultivated on 4,045 hectares of land in the district this year, against a target of 4,010 hectares.

“Jute cultivation exceeded the target by 35 hectares this year. However, the yield has been slightly lower because of heavy rainfall,” he said.

The DAE official expressed hope that production will improve next year if weather conditions remain favourable.

Three varieties of jute — Tossa, Deshi and Kenaf — are cultivated in Lalmonirhat.

For farmers, the viability of jute cultivation will ultimately depend on whether they can get a price that covers production costs and provides a reasonable return for their hard work.