SIRAJGANJ, Aug 28: Jute growers in the district are worried over the present market price.
A good number of growers said they got good price of their produce last year, but they are 'heartbroken' at this season's the market price.
A 'syndicate' is controlling the market. "We are helpless", they added.
They further said most of the cultivators have completed harvest. They want to sell their produce as early as possible to start T-Aman paddy cultivation.
"We need money to cultivate T-Aman. If we can't earn enough money from the sale of jute, we won't be able to start paddy cultivation", they said.
The newly-harvested jute was sold at Tk 1,900 to Tk 2,000 per maund before Eid but it is now selling at Tk 1,700 to Tk 1,800 per maund in the local markets across the district.
Jute grows well in Sirajganj's favourable weather and soil. Growers in the district achieved a bumper yield this year, getting the required rainfall and availability of quality seeds and other inputs.
"We don't get fair price of our hard-produced crop. Market price fell due to syndicate", said farmer Nazrul Islam of Kazipur upazila.
Another farmer Gholam Hossain of South Rehishbir village under Kazipur upazila said he has cultivated jute on two bighas of land. "Jute price was good last couple of weeks ago. But if the present price continues, farmers will probably see huge losses this time", he added.
Local supplier Kamal Bari said recent flood damaged major roads of the district. Wholesalers from different districts cannot visit haats and bazars to purchase the crop.
Deputy Director Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Habibul Haque said jute cultivation was good this time. Farmers are worried due to fall in price.
