BJRI Tosha Jute-9 gains popularity in Gopalganj

GOPALGANJ, June 4: BJRI Tosha Jute-9 is gaining popularity among farmers in Muksudpur, Kashiani and Gopalganj Sadar upazilas of the district this year.
According to official sources of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 25,786 hectares of land have been brought under jute cultivation across the district's five upazilas. The most widely cultivated variety is Bangladesh Jute Research Institute’s (BJRI) Tosha Jute-9.
Md. Mizanur Rahman, Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO) of Muksudpur, told The Financial Express (FE) that 9,519 hectares of land had been brought under jute cultivation in the upazila this year, with a production target of 19,514 tonnes.
"Muksudpur has the largest area under jute cultivation as the soil and weather conditions are favourable for jute farming," he said.
Md. Ziar Sheikh, 45, a farmer from Aikhdia village in Muksudpur upazila, said he cultivated BJRI Tosha Jute-9 on 10 bighas of land this year.
"The production cost is about Tk 400,000. If weather conditions remain favourable, I expect to harvest at least 150 maunds of jute, which could fetch around Tk 750,000 in the market. The condition of the crop is better than last year's," he added.
Kazi Ezazul Karim, UAO of Kashiani, told FE that 8,035 hectares of land have been brought under jute cultivation in the upazila this year.
"The dominant variety is BJRI Tosha Jute-9. The production target has been set at 16,472 tonnes, and around 40,000 farmers are engaged in jute cultivation," he said.
Md. Saifuddin, 35, a farmer of Kashiani upazila, said he cultivated jute on four acres of land this year.
"If the weather remains favourable, I expect to harvest around 116 maunds of jute," he said, adding that jute remains a profitable cash crop for farmers.
Mafroza Akter, UAO of Gopalganj Sadar, said that 5,182 hectares of land have been brought under jute cultivation in the upazila this year. The majority of the cultivated area is under BJRI Tosha Jute-9, and around 26,000 farmers are involved in jute farming.
Dawlar Molla, 55, a farmer from Manikdha village in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, said he cultivated jute on four bighas of land this year.
"The crop is in better condition than last year. I expect to make a good profit if market prices remain stable," he said.
Dr. Md. Mamunur Rahim, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Gopalganj, said a total of 25,786 hectares of land have been brought under jute cultivation across the district's five upazilas.
"The production target has been set at 52,861 tonnes. At current market prices, the total value of the expected production is estimated at around Tk 250 million," he added.

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