Once a flourishing center of Bangladesh’s jute cultivation, Khulna is now struggling to maintain its historical legacy in the sector. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the district has failed to meet its jute cultivation target, mainly due to insufficient government incentives and unfavorable weather conditions, reports UNB.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), jute was cultivated on 1,257 hectares of land across nine upazilas in Khulna—1,221 hectares for Tosha jute and 36 hectares for Deshi jute. The annual target was set at 1,457 hectares, meaning only 87% of the target has been achieved.
Last year, the district met its target with 1,447 hectares under jute cultivation. However, the drop this year has been attributed to a combination of factors, including lack of seed distribution and extreme weather conditions. In 2023–24, around 1,000 farmers received one kilogram of jute seeds each through a government program. This year, no such widespread support was provided.
Only in Dumuria and Paikgacha upazilas did the Department of Jute offer targeted support, including seed, fertilizer, and training under a technology-based development project. In Paikgacha, 1,900 farmers received assistance, while Dumuria farmers were given similar aid.
The upazila-wise breakdown shows notable declines in key areas: Rupsha saw cultivation drop from 36 to 21 hectares, Paikgacha from 372 to 252 hectares, and Dumuria from 866 to 796 hectares. No cultivation occurred in Dakop and Daulatpur, where minimal jute was grown last year.
Farmers also pointed to extreme heat as a major obstacle. Enamul Kabir, a farmer in Dumuria, said he intended to grow jute on 10 bighas but managed only five due to high temperatures during the planting season. Rainfall arrived too late to salvage sowing in many areas.
District DAE Deputy Director Md Nazrul Islam said, “The twin pressures of inadequate support and adverse weather made it difficult to meet our targets.” He added that the department continues to offer training and guidance to farmers on modern jute farming techniques and trading.
With an average target of 11.99 bales per hectare, the total production is expected to reach around 2,743 metric tonnes. However, officials fear that without urgent policy intervention, Khulna's jute sector may continue its downward trend, threatening the livelihoods of thousands and the legacy of the region’s golden fiber.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
