Farmers worry over fair price despite good jute yield in Faridpur

Farmers in Faridpur are expecting a good harvest of quality jute this season, but rising production costs and uncertainty over market prices have raised concerns about whether they will be able to make a reasonable profit.
Faridpur is one of the country’s major jute-producing districts, and farmers have cultivated the crop on more land than the target set by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) this year.
Favourable weather, adequate rainfall and sufficient water in canals and beels during the harvesting period have contributed to good yields and improved the colour and quality of the golden fibre, according to the DAE. The department expects around 196,000 tonnes of jute to be produced in the district this season.
Jute is currently selling for Tk4,000 to Tk4,200 per maund at markets including Kanaipur, Nalermor, Talma, Kadirdi, Satoir and Boroga, depending on the variety and quality. At the current market price, the total value of this season’s jute could exceed Tk2,000 crore, according to the DAE.
However, farmers say rising prices of fertiliser, seed, labour and other inputs have made it increasingly difficult for them to earn a reasonable return.
According to DAE sources, the target for jute cultivation in Faridpur this season was 87,328 hectares. Farmers, however, cultivated the crop on around 87,400 hectares, about 72 hectares more than the target.
Faridpur DAE Deputy Director Md Shahaduzzaman said the weather had been particularly favourable for jute cultivation this year.
“Especially during the harvesting period, there was sufficient water in the canals and beels, which helped ensure good colour and quality of the fibre,” he said, adding that around 196,000 tonnes of jute are expected to be produced in the district this season.
However, the good harvest has not completely eased farmers’ concerns.
Jute growers said production costs had increased significantly compared with previous years due to higher prices of fertiliser, seed, labour and other agricultural inputs. Saiful Islam, Nasir Hossain and Anwar Hossain, among other jute farmers in Saltha, said they were happy with the yield but worried about the return.