Reviving jute industry

Political leaders and economists are unanimous about the high potential of jute after a long moribund state it was in. The process of reviving the jute industry has already begun. It received a shot in the arm when genome sequencing of both varieties of jute was successfully carried out under late scientist Maqsudul Alam. Since then the prospect of diversification of jute products has become brighter than ever before. Scientists are on the right track, no doubt, in carrying forward their research. But the impression is that results of the research could not be adequately translated into practical uses. In countries in the West when groundbreaking research works, invention and discovery are accomplished, industrial investors beeline for taking advantage of translating theories into practical or industrial outputs. Unfortunately, private companies or industrialists here are not enthusiastic enough to involve themselves with such projects. Instead, they want to tread known pasture in order to avoid risks.

Clearly, this is no way of advancing the cause of industrialisation. The government alone cannot take ahead initiatives that can open up limitless possibilities for the jute industry and for that matter any such industry. On the other hand, the traditional mode of operation of the jute mills in the public sector has long proved a drag on the government exchequer. It is not surprising that the finance minister voiced his annoyance at the management of the jute mills in the public sector. Unless the mills prove their efficiency and productivity in line with the challenges facing the industry, there is indeed no point allowing them to run in losses. Sure enough, advanced technology and skilled manpower are an answer to this problem. The state minister of jute and textile claimed that entrepreneurs are producing 240 types of jute products as against 135 last year.

Now the question is if such a large number of jute products are there, what is their worth in terms of economy and export? Number alone does not make sense unless the economic value proves decisive. Even just one or two products with worldwide demand can reenergise the jute industry to the extent where it will never have to look back. Have the entrepreneurs collaborated sufficiently with scientists who have advanced the cause of the industry's growth to an extraordinary level? In the context of growing concern for environmental fragility due to use of chemical and artificial substances for packaging, jute really stands to take off.

Now the need is to take the opportunity that comes Bangladesh's way. The country produces the best quality of jute fibres in the world. Already hessian has been turned into cotton-like thread. But still there is some way to go before it can compete with cotton. Hopefully, the last barrier too will be overcome within a short time and jute will have a new dimension in commercial use. If the quality of products can be improved to a much higher level, there is every chance the products will be able to overcome anti-dumping measures by Bangladesh's lone competitor. So the collaboration between the private sector and the scientists has to be intensified in order to reach the goal.