Jute harvesting going on in full swing in Manikganj

MANIKGANJ, Aug 06 (BSS): Harvesting of jute is going on in full swing in all the seven upazilas of the district this season.

Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said a total of 4,765 hectares of land was brought under jute cultivation in all seven upazilas of the district with a target of producing 64,580 bales of jute during the current season.

Abdul Alim, 50, a farmer of Charigram village under Singair upazila, said, "We are interested in cultivating jute because it gives us cash money during the lean period."

Sticks of jute are also used for different household purposes, including fencing and cooking, he added.

Md Lal Mia, 50, a resident of Kellai village under Ghior upazila, said, "I had cultivated jute on two bighas of land this year, adding that all of them have been harvested and I am expecting reasonable prices."

Officials of the DAE said farmers are now busy harvesting and rotting of jute plants in water bodies amid frequent rainfalls and also adopting latest ribbon-retting technology to ensure better quality of the fibre for high price.