Problems and Solutions in Jute Cultivation Faced by the Farmers in Selected Jute Growing Area of Bangladesh

A study was undertaken to identify the existing problems and constraints with jute cultivation and possible suggestions to overcome the situation of farmers of Faridpur district of Bangladesh during the period from 15 March to 15 April 2010. Farmers problem magnitudes were estimated through a five point Likert's Scale. Since jute is the main cash crop of the farmers of Bangladesh, they had to sale jute in order to meet family needs. Results revealed that the low market price of jute and fluctuation of market price have been the major problems of the growers. The third and fourth problems were ‘inadequate knowledge of the farmers in grading jute fibre’ with problem index 325 and ‘no price incentive for quality fibre at primary market’ with problem index 307 and rank order 3 and 4, respectively. Farmers did not receive remunerative prices for high quality fibres in primary market. Because of non-availability of high yielding variety (HYV) seeds on the sowing period, ‘farmers inability to purchase costly seed’ and ‘lack of adequate knowledge of improved technology on jute cultivation’ had a problem index of 262 and 243, respectively. During the sowing period, price of HYV jute seed became high and gone beyond the purchasing capacity of small farmers. Farmers suggested solutions to the problems faced are fixing fair price of jute at farm level that are remunerative to them and adequate arrangement for supply of HYV seeds at sowing period.