2.08m bales jute output targeted in N region

RANGPUR, Apr 11 (BSS): The government has fixed a target of producing over 2.08 million bales of jute from over 0.19 million hectares of land during the current 2015-2016 seasons in the northern region of the country, official sources said.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers have been continuing sowing of jute seeds on their lands in full swing. Sowing seeds on over 20 per cent of the targeted land has already been completed, they added.
According to them, the farmers will produce over 1.98 million bales of 'Tosha' variety jute fibre from over 0.18 million hectares of land and 0.11 million bales of 'Deshi' variety fibre from 13,850 hectares of land in the region during the current season.
The farmers did not face any problem in procuring quality jute seeds this season as they got the same from the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), other government and non-government organisations and dealers, they mentioned.
Horticulture specialist of the DAE Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said the farmers started sowing jute seeds little lately for lack of adequate moisture, but are expected now to complete the sowing process in the coming weeks after rainfall at most palaces.
Jute growers Solaiman Ali, Abdul Haque and Sukumar Roy praised the government for supplying ribbon machines to ease jute-rotting process even amid drought situation and upgrading fibre quality using ribbon-retting methods in recent years.
Noted agriculture scientist and Associate Director of Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia & Africa) Dr M A Mazid suggested the farmer to complete sowing of jute seeds by this month-end to get better production.
He also suggested for using the Six Line Pick Up Jute Seeding Method to cultivate jute using only 2.0 kg seeds per acre to save vast quantity of seeds when they generally use 2.5 to 3.5 kg jute seeds per acre land using the traditional method.
Dr Mazid put special emphasis on ensuring supply of quality jute seeds to the farmers who have been showing more interests in jute farming, as demand for the natural and eco-friendly fibre has been increasing very fast in the international markets.
Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid suggested for expansion of jute-based industries and increased exports of jute products to further encouraging the farmers in farming the fibre in the northern region.
Deputy Director of the DAE Zulfiquer Haider said the field level officials of the DAE and other agriculture-related organisations have been providing necessary assistance to the farmers for making the jute farming programme a successful this season.