(BSS) - Officials and experts in a discussion here today emphasized the need for research, development of agricultural technology and public awareness to revive farmers in jute cultivation.

The Rangpur district administration and the Jute Department jointly organized the discussion in observance of the National Jute Day-2025 at the conference room of the Rangpur Deputy Commissioner in the city.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur Md. Ramiz Alam presided over the discussion.

Principal Scientific Officer of the Regional Jute Research Institute in Rangpur Dr. Kazi Mosaddek Hossain, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension for Rangpur region Md. Habibur Rahman, Assistant Director of Jute Department Rangpur Md.Solaiman Ali, among others, addressed the event.

In his speech, the Additional Deputy Commissioner said that the soil of Northbengal is very fertile and suitable for cultivation of all crops including jute, where it is possible to cultivate multiple crops in one land.

“Although Bangladesh was once well-known in the world market for jute production, jute cultivation has been declining day by day due to environmental changes and watershortages,” he said.

Regarding the use of plastic, he said that plastic destroys soil fertility and has a serious impact on the environment.

“Jute products and jute bags are environmentally friendly and recyclable, which can be usedas an alternative to plastic,” he said.

Regarding the motivation of farmers in jute cultivation, he said that if farmers get a fair priceand the jute market expands, jute farmers will be interested in jute cultivation again.

“If the use of jute and jute products increases, employment will increase and new prospectswill be created in export earnings,” he said.

He called on jute farmers, traders and all stakeholders concerned to take necessary steps toincrease jute production for reviving the past glory of the country’s ‘golden fibre’ again.

Government officials, jute farmers, jute traders and journalists were present at the discussion.