Bangladesh: Farmers hope for profits from growing cotton cultivation in Jashore
Bangladesh : Rising cotton farming in Jashore fuels farmers’ hopes for higher returnsBangladesh continues to rely heavily on imported cotton to meet domestic demand, as local production remains far below the required level. To address this gap, the government has introduced a range of initiatives to expand cotton cultivation nationwide.Farmers in the region are expecting a bumper harvest this season, supported by favourable weather conditions and low pest infestation. Many growers reported that cotton remains a highly profitable crop, often generating three to four times the production cost.Through the Cotton Development Board (CDB), farmers have been provided with incentives such as seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides to enhance production.These measures, coupled with conducive weather, have contributed to a notable expansion of cotton farming in the region. However, farmers emphasised the need to revise the government-fixed price to ensure better profitability and encourage further expansion.According to official data, cotton was cultivated on 19,200 hectares in the Jashore zone during the 2024–25 fiscal year.This year, the cultivation area increased to 20,000 hectares across Jashore, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, and Chuadanga districts. In Jashore alone, 13,000 farmers cultivated cotton on 390 hectares. A total of 2,600 farmers in the zone received government incentives.Saiful Islam, a cotton farmer from Raghunathnagar in Jhikargacha upazila, said it costs Tk14,000–18,000 to cultivate one bigha. “After expenses, we are able to make Tk30,000–40,000 profit per bigha. That is why we continue growing cotton,” he said.Aminur Rahman, another farmer from the area, said he cultivated cotton on 22 decimals this year. “From the government incentive package, I received DAP, potash, urea, seeds, and pesticides. This support was very helpful. With favourable weather and fewer pests, yields have been excellent,” he said.Shahidul Islam, who inherited the practice from his father, said cotton cultivation takes about eight months to complete. “The government has fixed the price at Tk4,000 per maund. But considering the long cultivation period, the price should be increased to better benefit farmers,” he said, adding that buyers usually purchase cotton directly from the fields, saving farmers the cost and inconvenience of transporting the crop to markets.Jashore’s Chief Cotton Development Officer, Mizanur Rahman, said 2,600 farmers in the zone received incentives this year. “Interest in cotton cultivation has grown significantly. We expect higher yields compared to previous years. There are currently 13,000 cotton farmers in the zone, and our target is to increase this to 15,000,” he said.He noted that the CDB and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are jointly promoting hybrid varieties and modern seedling technologies to expand cultivation nationwide. “The majority of the country’s cotton is produced in the Jashore region. Since cotton is an internationally traded commodity, domestic prices are aligned with global markets. There is no scope for syndication,” he added.Mosharraf Hossain, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Jashore, said cotton has gained popularity due to its high profitability. “Government incentives have greatly benefited farmers. The quality of cotton produced in this region is excellent,” he said.CDB Executive Director Rezaul Amin said cotton cultivation now spans 20,000 hectares across the Jashore–Kushtia–Jhenaidah–Chuadanga belt. “A significant portion of the national incentive budget is allocated to this zone. We are providing training, mechanisation support, and high-quality seeds. This season, Tk17 crore in incentives was distributed nationwide, most of which went to farmers in this region,” he said.Public Service Commission member Prof ASM Golam Hafiz expressed concern that cotton is not included in the agricultural loan policy. “Cotton is a vital cash crop for our economy. The readymade garment sector contributes 83–85% of export earnings, yet we import almost all the cotton required. Domestic production accounts for only about 2% of demand,” he said, urging the government to introduce a dedicated loan facility for cotton farmers.read more :- Rupee open Falls 15 Paise to 89.70/USD
