Price slump puts Kurigram jute cultivators in a fix

KURIGRAM, Sept 09 (UNB): Jute farmers in Kurigram fear a bleak prospect as prices of the golden fibre continue to decline despite a good harvest this year and many of them are even thinking of stopping cultivation of the crop forever from the next season.
Farmers said although prices were good at the beginning of the season, they have significantly dropped.
The dire situation faced by jute farmers has raised concern about the sustainability of its cultivation in the region, as many are questioning the economic viability of continuing to grow this important cash crop.
The current market price of jute is between Tk1800 and Tk 2000 per maund.
Farmers are getting worried about whether they will be able to recover their production costs.
Talking to the news agency, some farmers said they may have to give up jute cultivation in the next season due to such slump in prices.
A recent visit to the bustling jute market at Jatrapur in Kurigram's Sadar Upazila presents a real picture of the situation.
Farmers from far and near arrived with their produces, using various means of transportation, including boats, bicycles, and horse-drawn carts.
However, a palpable sense of disappointment surfaced on their faces as they learnt about the low prices of the crop.
Compared to the last week's market, jute prices have plummeted by Tk300-400 per maund, leaving farmers with negligible profits.
Md Noor Islam, a farmer who came to the market from Kadamtala village of Kurigram Sadar said, "Cultivating jute on one bigha of land costs Tk14,000 to Tk 15,000 including fertiliser, water, pesticides and labour costs. I get 8-10 maunds of jute from one bigha of land. There will be no profit if I sell the produce at current price. What is the benefit of cultivating jute with so much difficulty then?"
Another farmer, Md Hasanur, said, "Price of jute has not been very good for the past couple of years. There has not been sufficient rain this season. We had to use extra water in the dry season that raised the production cost."
Aslam Mia, a jute trader from Kurigram Sadar said, "I bought jute at Tk 1800 to 1900 per maund and had to sell it today at the same price. There will no profit if the transport cost, labour cost and market toll are calculated. The price of jute was Tk2,200 to Tk 2,300 per maund in the last week. The price is decreasing day by day."
When asked, another small jute trader Jahedul Islam echoed almost the same.
ATM Khairul Haque, inspector of Kurigram district chief jute inspector's office, said, "The price of jute was good two weeks ago. Now the price is decreasing because most of the traders did not get their dues from the factories after supplying jute. So, the traders are not interested in buying jute now."