Rise in jute fiber price pushes cultivation area in Srikakulam

Scientists and agricultural officials have predicted increase in jute (mesta) crop cultivated area this year in the wake of early rains. For the past three years, jute crop cultivation area in Vizianagaram ans Srikakulam district has witnessed increase.

According to assistant director of agronomy wing T Bhavani Shankar, thirty years ago jute crop was cultivated in 80,000 hectares in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts due to competition from plastic products and lack of support from the government. The jute crop cultivated area came down to 3,100 hectares by 2010 and now it was increased due to rise in demand for fibre products.

In Srikakulam district farmers in Vangara, Regidi, Palakonda, Veeragattam, Rajam, Santhakaviti and Ponduru mandals are making arrangements to cultivate jute in dry and uplands area this year and agriculture officials also prepared plans to provide quality seeds for farmers.

For cultivating jute crop in one acre Rs5,000 is enough and one can get 12 quintals fibre from one acre and total income will be Rs 55,200.

In 2013, Jute fibre price per quintal and it increased to Rs 3,600 in 2014, the price was further increased to Rs 4,200 in 2015 and at present the price for per quintal is Rs 4,600.

According to Jute Research Centre head scientist J Jagannadham, in the wake of rise in fibre price and availability of quality seeds, farmers are slowly attracting to cultivate jute crop. In 2014, jute crop cultivated area was 4,700 hectares in two districts and it increased to 5,600 hectares in 2015, this year it is predicted that the crop extent would be increased to 6,700 hectares as farmers have started enquiring about the price of fibre and seeking quality seeds.