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Jute farming has gained momentum in Chuadanga this year, with favourable weather, adequate rainfall and firm market prices encouraging farmers to expand cultivation.
Farmers in the district are currently busy harvesting the crop, retting the jute in water and drying the fibre. Officials expect a good harvest and higher returns this season.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said jute has been cultivated on 9,135 hectares across the district’s four upazilas, up 435 hectares from the previous season.
Production is projected at around 25,578 tonnes, with the crop expected to generate nearly Tk220 crore in market value.
Masudur Rahman Sarker, deputy director of the Chuadanga DAE, said weather conditions had been favourable for jute this year and farmers were likely to make a profit. He added that agricultural officials were providing necessary support to growers.
Farmers said the plants have developed well due to sufficient rainfall, while adequate water in rivers, canals and low-lying areas has made retting easier.
The main varieties grown this season are JRO-524 and BJRI Tossa Pat-8.
According to farmers, cultivation costs range between Tk14,000 and Tk17,000 per bigha, while average production is expected to be around 2.8 tonnes per hectare.
Jute is currently fetching Tk3,200-Tk3,500 per maund. Farmers said prices have remained relatively strong over the past two years, while good weather has helped improve both yields and retting conditions.
They expect the crop to bring better profits, provided prices remain stable during the peak marketing period.