MAGURA, Aug 10: A novel initiative has been taken by the fishermen in Magura. Fishermen of five villages including Bashkutha under Magura sadar upazila have opened their leased waterbody for jute growers. Now jute growers will be able to rot their jute in the water-body.
Fishermen sources informed, this year they have taken the lease of Bashkuta water body at the cost of Taka one lakh and 62 thousand. About 2 months back they freed young fishes in the waterbody. But about 300 jute growers of 5 villages including Bashkuta were facing difficulties to rot their jute in want of waterbody. In this situation jute of Taka about 10 million faced uncertainty over rotting. Finding no other alternative jute growers informed the matter to local politicians. Followingly politicians requested the fishermen to open the waterbody for the jute growers. Complying the request fishermen have opened the waterbody for jute growers and now they are using the waterbody for jute rotting.
Fisherman Khithish Sarkar of village Bashkuta said, "We were expecting a profit of about Tk 1.0 million. But in want of waterbody we will face loss of about Tk 10 million. For saving the jute growers we have opened the waterbody for jute rotting. Though we will face a loss of about Tk 0.2 million as our fish production will be hampered due to jute rotting. But for greater interest of jute growers we have accepted our meagre loss."
Magura DAE official Gobinda Dash told, "Jute growers of five villages including Bahkuta under Magura sadar upazila were facing a setback over rotting their jute. But sacrifice of fishermen has come as a boon for jute growers. Such sacrifice is appreciable and inspiring."
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