Low price disheartens Magura jute growers

MAGURA, Aug 25: Newly harvested jute has started to come to the market. But farmers in the district are disheartened as present rate of jute does not cover even their production cost.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Magura, a total of 31,785 hectares of land was brought under jute cultivation in the district this year. About 4,12050 bales of jute has been produced in the district .  
Jute is being sold in the local market at Tk 1300 to Tk 1400 per maund as against Tk 1800 to 2000 last year. Production cost of jute is higher this year compared with last year. In this situation farmers in the district are facing loss by selling their jute.
When contacted Moinul Hossein a jute grower of village Akshi under Magura sadar Upazilla said, "I have got Tk 22 thousand by selling my jute produced in 2 bighas of land ., but my production cost was Tk 24 thousand more. In this situation I have decided not to cultivate jute in coming year."
Another farmer Abul Hossein of village Chandpur under Magura sadar Upazila said, "Jute price is low as middlemen are dominating the market. By making syndicate they are depriving us from earning more profit."