Cotton cultivation sees rise in Jashore

Farmers of six upazilas in Jashore region are showing much interest in cotton farming as its cultivation proved to be more profitable than other crops. Due to this, cotton cultivation is increasing every year in the region.

The farmers said they have been incurring losses by cultivating paddy for the last few years. As a result, they have showed interest in cotton farming as it is profitable and production cost is low.

Encouraged by the higher prices in the markets, the farmers are bringing more areas of land under cotton cultivation, said officials of Jashore Cotton Development office.

According to the Jashore Cotton Development Office, around 19,000 bales of cotton fibre are being produced here annually. To boost production, cotton cultivation has been increased in the region. 

Chief zonal officer of Cotton Development Board in Jashore Md Qutub Uddin said in the 2018-19 fiscal year, the target for cotton cultivation was 3,500 hectares while 3,105 hectares of land were brought under cotton farming. Around 16,696 bales of cotton fibre were produced from the land. Earlier, the target for cotton cultivation was 2,465 hectares of land in the 2016-17 financial year, but farmers brought 3,200 hectares of land under cotton cultivation. Around 18,265 bales of cotton fibre were produced from 3,200 hectares.

The target for cotton cultivation was 3,500 hectares in the 2019-20 fiscal year. About 3,125 hectares were cultivated. Around 19230 bales of cotton fibre were produced from the land. In the current fiscal year 2020-21, 3,200 hectares of land have been brought under cotton cultivation. Farmers have already started sowing seeds.

Mozaffar Hossain of Sujalpur village in Jashore Sadar said he would plant cotton on two bighas of land this time. He has already started sowing seeds. Hopefully the cotton cultivation will bring good yield this time.

Asadul Islam, a farmer from Jhikorgachha upazila, said he has made all preparations to cultivate cotton on three bighas of land this season. Last year, he brought his three bighas of land under cotton cultivation and got good yield of cotton.

Rezaul Islam of Khajura village in the same upazila said he is now cultivating cotton on five bighas of land. Last year, he planted cotton on two bighas of land, spending Tk 18,000 and got 32 maunds of cotton from the land. Per maund of cotton was sold at TK 2,500.

Mizarnur Rahman of Shiorda village in the upazila said he got 14 maunds of cotton from his three bighas of land last year.

The chief zonal officer of Jashore Cotton Development Board said cotton cultivation has been increasing in Jashore region for the last five to six years as it is profitable item. They have provided local cotton seeds to the farmers. They are also giving loans to the cotton growers.

"The cotton produced in our country is world-class," said the officer.