Once neglected in farmers’ yards, jute sticks are now opening up a new avenue for foreign currency earnings in Magura through the production of export-oriented natural charcoal.
By burning jute sticks to produce high-quality, eco-friendly charcoal, several factories in the district are supplying international markets, turning the sector into a promising export industry.
Industry insiders say the charcoal sector is gradually emerging as a profitable export-oriented industry in Bangladesh, bringing in crores of taka in foreign exchange while creating large-scale employment.
At the same time, concerns have been raised over smoke emissions and environmental impacts from charcoal production, prompting the government to introduce the Charcoal Policy 2022 to ensure the use of environment-friendly technology and compliance with international standards.
More than a hundred charcoal factories have already been established in districts, including Faridpur, Rajbari and Magura, with stakeholders claiming an annual export potential of around Tk2,500 crore.
In Magura alone, six factories are currently engaged in producing jute-stick charcoal solely for export, providing jobs to hundreds of workers at a time when many young people are struggling with unemployment.
Despite some environmental concerns, local residents largely view the initiative positively due to its role in generating employment and earning foreign currency.
On-the-ground visits show that Magura Charcoal and Jute Product Industries, a fully export-oriented factory, has been operating in Naliardangi village of Magura Sadar Upazila for nearly a decade.
The factory exports charcoal to China, where it undergoes further processing to produce high-quality ink used in computer printers and other products, which are then supplied to markets around the world.
Factory worker Hossain said the thought that products made by their hands are being used internationally fills them with pride and helps them forget the hardship of labour.
According to workers, more than 500 people are currently employed across the six charcoal factories in the district.
Female workers, including Momena Begum and Anjali Rani, said they earn around Tk10,000 a month by working at the factories, with many families employed together as husband and wife, improving household solvency, though they also demanded wage increases amid rising living costs.
Jute stick traders Yunus Ali and Rahim Joardar said farmers previously struggled to get fair prices for jute sticks, but demand has surged since the factories were established, with prices rising nearly threefold.
Magura Charcoal and Jute Product Industries Factory Manager Md Yunus Ali said the factory operates in line with nearly all directives of the Department of Environment.
He said skilled workers convert jute sticks into charcoal by controlling temperature levels, followed by modern crushing and packaging processes to make the product export-ready.
The charcoal is transported by truck via Chattogram to China, and without harming the environment the factory alone produces around 1,000 tonnes of charcoal a year.
Each tonne is exported at $750, enabling the company to earn more than $1 million annually in foreign currency, he said, adding that other factories are also exporting charcoal in a similar manner.
Magura District Department of Environment Assistant Director Mohammad Shoyeb said factories are being regularly monitored and provided with necessary guidance to protect the environment.
He said the government would extend full support to export-oriented industries if they are set up while maintaining the highest level of caution to prevent environmental pollution.
The transformation of jute sticks into charcoal in Magura is not just an industrial success story but a new possibility for rural economy, employment and foreign exchange earnings, with stakeholders expecting further expansion through proper policies and environment-friendly technology.
