S region farmers showing interest in jute cultivation

BARISAL, Sept 5 (UNB) Some 131,126 hectares of land have been brought under jute cultivation in the current season exceeding the target as farmers of the southern region have been showing interest in its cultivation.brJute growers became encouraged due to the high price of jute in the local markets, sources said.brDepartment of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said this year farmers of 11 districts -- Barisal, Patuakhali, Jhalakati, Barguna, Pirojpur, Bhola, Faridpur, Rajbari, Shariatpur, Madaripur and Gopalganj -- under Barisal agricultural region cultivated jute on 131,126 hectares exceeding the target of 105,656 hectares.brThe DAE officials are expecting production of 1.5 million (15 lakh) to 1.55 million (15.50 lakh) bales of jute this season.brThe region supplied 0.14 million bales of jute last year, they said.brBesides, farmers also cultivated Mechhta and Kenaf varieties of jute on 17,000 hectares in Barisal, Gopalganj, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts of the region.brThis season, the price of jute has already reached Tk 1200-1400 per maund compared to last year's price of Tk 800.brRashid Miah, a jute grower of Gournadi Upazila of Barisal said that opening of a sub-centre of Jute Research Institute, now functioning in Faridpur region, is also needed in Barisal division to give training to jute growers about modern cultivation methods and ensure sufficient supply of standard jute seeds at fair price.brAbul Hossain, a jute trader, expressed his anxiety at the lack of adequate marketing facilities and closure of jute mills one after another which he says will darken the future of jute cultivation.