Once upon a time, jute was a cash crop for farmers. It was the main sector of the country's export income. Jute was called the golden fiber of Bengal. Not only because of its gold-like color; but also because it was the main sector for earning foreign currency. With the evolution of time, due to our wrong jute policy and being a victim of corruption and looting, jute became the noose of the farmers. Basically, due to the lack of fair price for jute, post-independence jute farmers gave up jute cultivation. I was fortunate enough to see how much jute was valued during the pre-independence Pakistan period. Again, the heyday of jute was lost before my eyes. The jute mills established in the country closed one by one. However, if the potential jute mills in agriculture-dependent Bangladesh had not been crushed by the millstones of corruption, perhaps the country's economy could have become self-sufficient by relying on jute. After independence, 80 to 85 percent of the export income came from jute and jute products. However, thousands of workers had to lose their jobs as jute mills were closed due to lack of proper management. Even the BNP government closed down Asia's largest jute mill, Adamjee, at one stage on the prescription of foreigners. As a result, thousands of workers and employees had to leave the well-known jute mill with tears in their eyes. The moment the country's largest jute mill was destroyed on the prescription of foreigners, the jute industry in neighboring India experienced unprecedented development. India has now established itself on the world map as a country rich in jute industry.
The jute grown by farmers in our country has been smuggled to India as there is no opportunity to sell it domestically. Now that jute farmers in our country are getting good prices for jute, interest in jute cultivation c level contact list is also increasing. Meanwhile, the Grand Alliance government has focused on increasing jute cultivation. By adopting the 'Jute Packaging in Products' program, jute has started to be promoted as an alternative to environmentally destructive plastic and synthetic products. Although the use of plastic, synthetic and PP bags in product packaging has been established for a long time after independence, it will be difficult to implement it even if desired. In the meantime, small and large factories have been established in the country to manufacture polythene, synthetic and PP bags instead of jute. Bank capital has been invested in this sector. Just as it is not possible to completely close these suddenly established institutions, the government will not be able to ensure 100% use of jute packaging in products if these environmentally destructive factories cannot be closed. This is the reality, even if it is unpopular.
The government is already trying to enforce laws to ensure jute packaging for 17 products, including rice. Not only in the case of rice, but even if laws are made to use jute packaging for products like sugar, flour, fertilizer, and spices, it is not possible to ensure it 100 percent. If the process of manufacturing polythene, synthetic, and PP bags continues, it will be difficult to ensure the use of jute packaging. For this, the production process of these environmentally destructive products must be stopped in stages. In addition, loans from banks or financial institutions for the production of these products must be stopped. Moreover, to increase the use of packaging for jute products, sufficient opportunities must be created for the production of jute packaging by arranging long-term loans at low interest rates. Otherwise, it will become difficult to implement 100 percent use of jute products in packaging.
However, now the use of jute products has started to return all over the world. Especially conscious people are reducing the use of environmentally destructive plastic and synthetic products day by day. Now that wind has also hit Bangladesh. Once upon a time, India, China and Pakistan were known as the markets for jute in Bangladesh. Currently, that market has expanded to about 60 countries. Again, new markets are being found. All in all, it can be said without a doubt that jute has started to return to its glory days. Scientists have been able to invent jute genes through continuous research on jute. Now, about 285 types of jute products are being sold at home and abroad.
The government has implemented the 'Mandatory Packaging Act' for packaging 17 products, which has increased the domestic market for jute bags several times. If it is possible to ensure 100% implementation of this law, it will be possible to free the nation from the aggression of environmentally destructive synthetics. Not only that, the country's scientists have come a long way in researching the production of fine fabrics from jute. Even the export of healthy jute leaf tea has started in Germany. Perhaps it will be possible to earn foreign currency by exporting jute leaf tea all over the world. Currently, the value of jute bags has caught the attention of the whole world. Apart from this, the market for other jute products is constantly expanding. It seems that the once 'golden fiber' can once again open the door to possibilities.
The population pressure of our small country is constantly increasing. So now the issue of food security of people is also a big challenge. When jute cultivation increases further, the amount of rice cultivation will decrease. As a result, the possibility of disruption of people's food security will increase. Considering this reality, jute scientists have continued research to develop a saltwater tolerant variety of jute. We are optimistic that if this variety of jute is developed, a new scope for jute cultivation will be ensured. Then there will be no negative impact on the cultivation of agricultural products including rice and wheat. In short, despite the huge demand for jute and jute products in the international market, it is not possible to export enough due to various reasons. Even then, the export volume of this sector in the world market is expanding. People are now optimistic that the golden days of the past will return and the country's economy will prosper.