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RAJSHAHI, May 4: The target of jute cultivation in eight districts under Rajshahi division is unlikely to be achieved this season due to shortage of jute seeds.
Jute cultivators of the districts said they could not bring their targeted land under jute cultivation this season as the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) failed to supply them with adequate quantities of seeds.
Agriculture Extension Department (DAE) sources said farmers have brought 56,500 hectares of land under jute cultivation in eight districts during the season.
Of those, 5,500 hectares are in Rajshahi district, 7,000 hectares in Naogaon, 4,000 hectares in Natore, 1,000 hectares in Chapainawabganj, 6,000 hectares in Bogra, 3,000 hectares in Joypurhat, 20,000 hectares in Pabna and 10,000 hectares in Sirajganj districts.
When contacted, BADC officials said, against farmers' demand of 78 tonnes of jute seeds they received only 16 tonnes only for these districts from the government.
They admitted due to short supply of seeds, the target of jute cultivation as well as production is unlikely to be achieved this season.
Many farmers complained that they failed to cultivate jute in their fields due to scarcity and exorbitant price of jute seeds in the local markets.
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