Farmers across Madaripur’s five upazilas are busy harvesting jute as the season for bringing home the “golden fibre” gathers pace, with growers reporting good yields but remaining anxious over market prices.
From dawn, farmers can be seen heading to the fields with sickles, cutting jute plants from the base, tying them into bundles and carrying them to nearby canals, ponds and other water bodies for retting. Rows of submerged jute bundles now mark the rural landscape across the district.
Farmers are harvesting jute in different areas of Shibchar, Kalkini, Rajoir, Dasar and Madaripur Sadar upazilas. Cutting, carrying and retting continue from morning until evening, with both family members and hired labourers engaged in the work.
Alamgir Badsha, a farmer from Baherchar Katla village under Panchkhola Union in Madaripur Sadar, said the crop was ready for harvest after several months of care.
He said farmers had spent considerable amounts on land preparation, seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, weeding and irrigation, while labour costs had added further pressure. Despite a good harvest, uncertainty over market prices remained a major concern.
“This year’s jute yield has been good, but cultivation costs were also high. We need separate workers for harvesting and retting. If we do not get a good price in the market, there will be little profit,” said Azmal Gomosta, a jute farmer from Kadirpur Union in Shibchar Upazila.
Another farmer, Hamid Khan, said sufficient water and proper timing were essential to produce good-quality fibre.
He said farmers in some areas were facing difficulties because of excess water, while others were struggling with inadequate water for retting. Farmers in low-lying areas were harvesting their crops quickly, as prolonged submergence could damage the plants and reduce fibre quality.
“We have to ret the jute after cutting it. We have enough water here, so that is helpful, but the situation is not the same everywhere. Our hard work will be worthwhile if we get a good price,” said Anis Sardar, a farmer from Sahebrampur Union in Kalkini Upazila.
Market prices are now the biggest concern for growers. Jute prices often fluctuate at the beginning of the season, while farmers complain that higher production costs are not always reflected in the prices they receive.
They also allege that the involvement of middlemen often prevents them from securing their expected returns.
“All we want is a fair price when we sell our jute. Farmers would benefit more if they had opportunities to sell directly in the market,” said a jute farmer in Rajoir.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Madaripur, the cultivation target for the 2026-27 fiscal year was set at 36,925 hectares across the district’s five upazilas.
However, jute has been cultivated on 37,056 hectares, exceeding the target. Farmers are encouraged by both the expanded acreage and good yields.
With jute production showing strong potential, Madaripur’s fields are now reflecting the bustle of the harvesting season as farmers gradually bring home the golden fibre through months of labour.
Growers hope they will receive fair prices that reflect their production costs, that the influence of middlemen will decline, and that the proceeds from jute sales will bring some financial relief to their families after months of hard work.
