Rajshahi, Aug 23 (V7N) — Farmers in Rajshahi are now harvesting jute after four months of intensive care, overcoming early drought fears and cost uncertainties. The recent monsoon rains in Ashar and Shraban have not only alleviated water shortages but also improved the quality of the golden fiber, raising farmers’ expectations for a bumper harvest and better market prices.
 
Field visits to Paba, Mohanpur, and Durgapur upazilas reveal vast fields of healthy jute crops. Farmers are busy cutting, bundling, retting, and drying jute, benefiting from favorable weather that has enhanced overall yield. According to the Rajshahi District Agriculture Extension Office, the jute cultivation area this season reached a record 17,305 hectares, surpassing the target of 17,185 hectares.
 
The season began with concerns due to severe drought after seed sowing in Falgun and Chaitra months, forcing many farmers to rely on costly deep tube well irrigation. The biggest worry was retting, as insufficient water can cause jute fibers to rot, darken, and harden, resulting in lower market value. However, continuous rainfall throughout Ashar has filled canals, ponds, and rivers, ensuring adequate water for retting.
 
Local farmer Shahidul Islam from Paikpara, Paba, expressed relief, saying the rains have eased retting worries and improved fiber quality, which now promises longer, softer, and brighter jute — qualities highly valued in the market.
 
Production costs have risen due to increased prices for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and higher labor wages, with day labor rates now between Tk 500 and 600. Farmer Selim Reza from Darshanpara Union noted that despite higher expenses, he expects good yields of 10 to 12 maunds per bigha and hopes the improved fiber quality will secure profitable prices.
 
Market inspector Sumanta from the Agricultural Marketing Department reported that jute prices currently range between Tk 3,000 and 3,800 per maund in local markets, with expectations of further increases as premium-quality jute reaches the market.
 
Umme Salma, Deputy Director of Rajshahi Agriculture Extension, expressed optimism, stating that production has exceeded targets and fiber quality improvements will positively impact market demand. She also highlighted growing demand for jute as an eco-friendly fiber globally, which bodes well for farmers’ profits this year.
 
Paba Upazila Agriculture Officer M. A. Mannan added that proper retting in sufficient water has enhanced fiber color and quality. He emphasized that if farmers carefully complete the drying process, they can expect good market returns.

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