Sylhet observed National Jute Day with a rally and a discussion meeting under the theme ‘Build the Jute Industry—Create Employment.’
On this occasion, a discussion meeting was held on Friday (March 6) at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. The meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Saeeda Parveen.
At the event, organized by the District Administration and the Department of Jute, special guests included Associate Professor Mohammad Bilal Uddin of Murari Chand College, Associate Professor Sumitra Roy of Sylhet Government Women’s College, Assistant Commissioner Sihab Bin Amin, Advocate Chowdhury Ataur Rahman Azad and Jute Development Officer Md Hamim Talukdar.
Assistant Commissioners from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, officials from various government and non-government organizations, teachers and students from different educational institutions and members of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and BNCC were also present.
In her speech, the chairperson, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Saeeda Parveen said that jute is one of the major cash crops of the country. At one time, jute was known as the ‘golden fiber.’ Bangladesh earned a huge amount of foreign currency by exporting jute, but over time that glorious tradition has largely faded. Due to various challenges, farmers have lost interest in cultivating jute.
She further said that to revive the tradition of jute, the use of jute and jute-based products must be increased. As an alternative to polythene, wider use of jute products needs strong promotion at the government level. At the same time, farmers should be encouraged to cultivate jute through the provision of seeds, fertilizers and financial incentives. There is no alternative to increasing the use of jute in building a sustainable Bangladesh.
Other speakers at the meeting said that the soil of Sylhet is naturally fertile and jute was once cultivated in this region. To expand jute cultivation, a local office of the Department of Jute should be established in Sylhet. With the creation of new jute farmers and increased government support, the jute industry could flourish alongside the tea industry in Sylhet.
Earlier, marking the day, a colorful rally started from the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and paraded through important roads of the city. PID Sylhet