RANGPUR, Aug 15: Processing of jute is facing severe setback at different upazilas of the district owing to scarcity of adequate water in the water bodies of the region.
Jute was cultivated on around 10,500 hectares of land in 8 upazilas under the district during the current season. Harvesting of jute is going on in full swing across the region and the farmers are quite satisfied with the yield they have achieved so far, DAE sources said.
But the farmers have become worried as they are not able to process raw jute by rotting, as water bodies have almost dried up because of scanty rainfall during the last couple of month as a result of which a huge amount of jute is getting dry, it is alleged.
Haider Miah (50), a farmer in Nabdiganj area under Pirgachha upazila told FE that he cultivated jute on two bighas of land this year and got expected yield but now he is facing problem in rotting the crop owing to shortage of water in the water bodies caused by inadequate rainfall, he added.
Amirul (40) of Vendabari village under Pirganj upazila told The Financial Express he cultivated jute on one bigha of land during the current season. Presently harvesting is going on of the produce but he is facing serious problem in rotting jute due to lack of sufficient water.
He also expressed apprehension about the quality of the golden fibre.
Though the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) took an initiative to introduce ribbon retting system, a technology for rotting jute plants with less water to get quality fibre but inadequate training and reluctance of the farmers the method is yet to get popularity among them, sources added.
It is also alleged that due to lack of measures for its promotion the technology has not become so successful among the local farmers.
DAE Rangpur official sources said the department is trying to make the technology popular among the farmers by providing adequate training and equipments. It may take time to adopt the technology by each and every farmer, sources added.
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