2024-02-12 19:05:47
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Md. Abdus Shahid said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the production of jute has increased by 33 lakh bales in the last 10 years due to the jute friendly policy of the government. In 2015, where 51 lakh bales of jute were produced, in the fiscal year 2022-23, jute production in the country was about 84 lakh bales. Out of this, about 43 lakh bales of jute and jute products have been exported. About 8 thousand crore rupees have been earned through the export of jute and jute products.
The minister said these things at a seminar on the success and potential of the genome center in jute research at the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Monday (February 12).
The minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina started the program of jute genome sequencing in 2009 and established the genome center to bring back the lost glory of jute. As a result, in 2010, the secret of life of jute was revealed for the first time in the world. As a result of uncovering the mysteries of life, there has been a huge opportunity to develop high-yielding varieties suitable for cultivation in the country. And the soil of the country is also very suitable for jute cultivation. So there are many opportunities to increase jute production.
Addressing the scientists, he said, to increase the production of jute, high-yielding varieties and production technology should be invented. For this purpose you have to be more focused in research and you have to work with sincerity and dedication in making full use of the genome sequencing lab.
Stating that work is going on to achieve self-sufficiency in jute seeds, the minister said, we have not yet been able to become self-sufficient in jute seeds. Majority of the demand has to be imported from India. Therefore, the government is working on a priority basis to reduce the import-dependence of jute seed, achieve self-sufficiency in jute seed production and produce more jute in less land.
The minister said that despite the increase in the use of polythene, in the current era of sustainable development, there has been a huge demand for eco-friendly jute and jute products worldwide. The versatile use of jute fiber is increasing day by day. At present the domestic market of geotextile is around 700 crore rupees. Not only in Bangladesh but also around the world, the value of eco-friendly and excellent jute geotextile is increasing instead of ‘metal netting’ or synthetic geotextile made from polymer. Besides, jute black ash from Bangladesh is currently being exported to China, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Brazil.
Executive Chairman of Agricultural Research Council Sheikh Md. Bakhtiar, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture Rehana Parveen, Director General of Jute Research Institute Abdul Awal etc. spoke.