Experts at a farmers’ training course today called for expanding use of the eco-friendly jute products leaving synthetic polyethylene to ensure fair price of the golden fibre side by side with improving environment, reports BSS. They put special emphasis on large-scale adoption of the latest agriculture technologies, including ribbon retting method, at the farmers’ levels for upgrading quality and grade of the fibre and boosting jute production. They expressed the view at the training course arranged under the “Production of High Yielding Jute and Jute Seed and Method of Rotting Jute Plants Adopting Modern Technology” project at Domar upazila parishad auditorium in Nilphamari district. The Upazila Jute Development Department in association with Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) organised the course for 100 selected farmers to assist them learning the technologies practically for extending those at the grassroots levels. With Domar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mst. Sabiha Sultana in the chair, Domar upazila chairman Abdur Razzaque Basunia addressed the training course as the chief guest. Senior Assistant Director (Purchase) of the Directorate of Jute under the Ministry of Jute and Textiles Aminul Islam attended the event as the special guest. Assistant Director of the Directorate of Jute for Rangpur division Mossarraf Hossain, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for Nilphamari Golam Md Idris and, addressed, among others. Domar Upazila Jute Development Officer Tayebur Rahman discussed about importance of achieving self-reliance on quality jute seed of high yielding varieties to meet local seed demand for increasing production of quality fibre utilising the latest technologies. Domar Upazila Agriculture Officer Jafar Iqbal narrated the latest and lowest-cost ribbon retting technology that helps the farmers in adapting to drought situation side by side getting best quality fibre with maximum price in the local and international markets. Golam Md Idris explained various traditional methods and low-cost ribbon retting technology of jute in only nine days during droughts or water scarcity to improve quality and grade of jute-kenaf/mesta-fibre with ensured higher market prices. The chief guest discussed about the multidimensional usages of jute products and its increasing demand in international markets following adverse effects of synthetic fibre and called upon the farmers to revive past glory of the golden fibre.
