Farmers of Mohadevpur upazila of the district are losing their interest to grow jute due to shortage of capital and low market prices.
A good number of farmers said commercial jute cultivation was popular in the area. Growers used to make a handsome profit from the cash crop.
But the scenario has changed now. Cultivators want to grow cereal crops instead of jute.
Jute researcher Harun-or-Rashid said jute farmers are not getting good market price. Production cost is also higher than before.
Officials at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said they targeted to bring some 350 hectares of land under jute cultivation this season but the farmers have brought some 150 hectares under the farming.
It was 200 hectares of land last year, DAE officials added.
"I cultivated jute on five bighas of land last year but this season I am growing the crop on a bigha of land," said Abdul Kuddus of Kalna village under Enayetpur union.
Now I prefer paddy production instead of jute, the grower further said.
Abu Raihan of Paharpur village under Sophapur union said farmers need to spend Tk 10,000 to Tk 12,000 to grow jute on a bigha of land they get some nine to 10 maunds of yield.
Each maund of jute is selling at Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200, he added.
Upazila agriculture officer Mafidul Islam said vegetable and paddy cultivation is gaining popularity in the area.
Growers do not want to produce jute due to low profit, the official added.
