The government is working to be self sufficient in jute seed production by next three years. As the country’s researchers have already developed improved varieties of jute, it is likely to inspired country’s farmer to cultivate for jute seeds for its commercial benefits.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzque said this while speaking as the chief guest at the National Jute Day discussion meeting and award distribution function organized by Ministry of Textiles and Jute at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Sunday.
He said, “We want to be self-sufficient in jute seeds production as we do not depend on any country. To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a roadmap. In India, they cultivate jute seeds in their barren lands and export them to our country at low prices. Our farmers are not very interested in cultivating jute seeds as compared to other crops.”
“However, scientists at our Jute Research Institute have already developed improved varieties of jute, which are much better than Indian varieties. Work is underway to popularize its cultivation among the farmers. We hope that within the next three years, Bangladesh will be self-sufficient in jute seed production. After 3 years, jute seeds will no longer have to be imported from India,” added the minister.
The country’s jute industry was destroyed during the BNP and the coalition government. In the last 12 years, the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various initiatives to bring back the golden days of jute. In 2005-06, the production of jute was only 1 million tonnes. At present, the production of jute has doubled to about 1.7 million tonnes in 12 years.
The Agriculture Minister urged India not to impose anti-dumping said, “We have told India many times not to impose anti-dumping duty but they do not listen to us.
However, the present government is working hard to increase jute production and exports so that we can compete with India and survive. We can bring back the good days of golden fiber.”
