What is the History of the Jute Industry in Bangladesh?

Jute has been woven into textiles since the 3rd century BC and has been a staple fabric in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Assam. The first jute mill, established by British entrepreneur George Acland in 1855 at Rishra, West Bengal, marked the beginning of industrial jute production. Named The Acland Mill, this initiative was inspired by Acland’s observations of jute use in India.

The industry faced a severe decline in the 1970s with the rise of synthetic fibers. Initially, jute’s coarse texture meant it could only be woven by hand. However, the advent of machinery, facilitated by the use of whale oil, revolutionized jute production and helped the industry regain its footing in the textile sector.

In recent years, the increasing emphasis on sustainability has renewed interest in jute due to its eco-friendly and cost-effective qualities. This shift has revitalized jute’s role in the garment and textile industries, positioning it as a key export crop for Bangladesh once again.

The Historical Significance of Jute in Bangladesh

Jute, often called the golden fiber of Bangladesh, is one of the world’s most ancient and affordable fibers. Historically, it has been used to make rope, twine, fabric, and macramé hangers. During the Mughal era, specifically under Emperor Akbar (1542-1605), poorer rural populations in India wore garments made from coarse jute.

Challenges and Renewed Interest of the Jute Industry in Bangladesh

In 2002, the Bangladeshi government closed Adamjee Jute Mills, the country’s largest jute mill. Despite the shutdown, other jute mills struggled with profitability, increasing worries about the government. By 2006, the government owned 78 percent of the country’s jute mills, including 29 outright. To encourage the business, the government mandated in 2010 that wholesale makers and sellers use jute bags for packaging rice, sugar, wheat, and fertilizers, a requirement that was expanded to include animal feed in 2018.

In that same year, the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) suggested establishing a 100 billion taka Jute Sector Development Fund to provide low-interest loans and promote industry expansion. The jute sector exports over $1 billion in jute goods each year. To maintain sufficient supply for the home market, the government restricted raw jute exports in January 2018, but lifted the restriction in June 2019 in response to theBangladesh Jute Association‘s demands.

Between 2010 and 2019, the government invested around 7.5 billion takas in the BJMC. Despite these efforts, the firm has failed to make a profit, with yearly deficits continuing since 1980, except the 2010-11 fiscal year. The BJMC was described as a “bottomless pit” by The Daily Star in 2019 owing to its ongoing financial troubles.

However, the private sector in Bangladesh is exhibitingincreased interest in jute and jute products, owing to the rising demand for biodegradable and sustainable natural materials. Khiyoo Fashion House, for example, creates jute clothes and shoes. In contrast, Bangladeshi jute manufacturers have expressed worry over India’s application of anti-dumping taxes on jute products in 2017 and the increase of these levies in 2019. India is an important market for their products.

Jute’s Introduction to Global Trade

Jute first became a part of global commerce in the mid-18th century, a time when flax and hemp dominated the spinning industries in Europe and America. According to the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, the first jute mill was established in 1855 at Rishra on the river Hooghly, north of Kolkata, by George Auckland and his Bengali partner, Shyamsunder Sen.

The Rise and Decline of the Jute Industry

Under British rule, and for a quarter-century after 1947 in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the jute industry was Bengal’s largest. However, after Bangladesh gained independence, the industry’s contribution to the GDP and employment significantly declined.

Despite various efforts, most jute mills, apart from Adamjee, have consistently incurred losses. According toProthom Alo, in the past decade, government jute mills made a profit of 17 crore BDT, but the state treasury faced a substantial loss of 10,000 crore BDT due to these mills’ expenses.

Efforts to Revitalize the Jute Sector

In response to the industry’s decline, several initiatives have been launched to revive the sector. The Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) was established in 2002, although its activities only began in earnest in 2013, aiming to diversify jute products.

Global demand for diversified jute products (DJP) is on the rise, with Bangladesh’s innovative jute-based products attracting international attention. Despite this, the country lacks the necessary infrastructure to fully capitalize on this market.

Innovations and Potential of Jute Products

Bangladeshi scientist Dr. Mubarak Ahmad Khan has suggested that converting Bangladesh’s total jute production into Sonali bags could reduce global polythene usage by one-third, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic pollution and potentially restoring the golden fiber’s former glory. Some of the innovative jute products include:

1. Personal protective equipment
2. Masks
3. Sanitary napkins
4. Jute polybags
5. Shopping and garbage bags
6. Thermal bags
7. Rice sacks
8. Grocery and packaging bags

Dr. Khan believes that jute has the potential to transform Bangladesh’s economy, provided that the country effectively brands its sustainable jute products to attract global interest.

Challenges Facing the Jute Industry

The jute sector faces several challenges that need to be addressed to reach its full potential: outdated technology, a lack of skilled manpower, insufficient fiscal support, and inadequate research-based product diversification. These issues hinder the production of quality jute yarn, which is crucial for meeting market demands and maintaining competitive advantage

Proper research and development are essential, requiring sophisticated jute research institute labs and equipment, as well as university departments dedicated to jute education.

Conclusion

High-tech jute goods have significant global demand, but most Bangladeshi jute mills use 50-year-old machinery and lack essential facilities for dyeing and lamination. Without addressing these issues, the potential of jute will remain untapped.

Goldesia Jute Mills Limited, a leading jute yarn manufacturer in South Asia, showcases the potential for innovation within the sector. Despite their advancements, broader industry support is needed. With the right focus and government support, jute could transform Bangladesh’s economy and promote global sustainability. Without it, this natural blessing may be squandered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the problem faced by the jute industry?

Outdated machinery reduces the productivity and competitiveness of Indian jute mills, while rising labor, energy, and raw material costs drive up production expenses.

What is the economic importance of jute in Bangladesh?

Jute is a key sector in Bangladesh, contributing4.9%of export earnings and employing 243,000 workers in 26 state-owned mills, with women making up 18% of the workforce.

Which district in Bangladesh produces the most jute?

Most jute is grown in Kurigram. This year, Rangpur region produced125,000 tonnes, while nationwide cultivation covered 764,000 hectares, yielding an estimated 1,830,000 tonnes.

Why is jute called golden fabric?

Known as the golden fiber for its color, jute is a profitable cash crop. It’s the second most important natural fiber after cotton, with rising demand in India and globally.

Best Jute Products in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are now creating an impressive 282 different jute products, many of which are exported worldwide. This growth is driven by the rising popularity of jute products and the government’s focus on innovating and expanding their uses.

To support jute cultivation, the government ensures a steady supply of seeds and provides additional resources to farmers. As a result, jute production has significantly increased, supplying jute mills continuously and boosting export earnings. Farmers are also receiving fair prices for their jute, further encouraging production.

The Golden Fiber: Jute’s Impact on Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, jute is grown on around ten million acres of the five million acres of cultivable land. Known as “The Golden Fiber,” jute is a crucial crop for farmers in the country. Approximately 3 million farmers rely on jute cultivation for their livelihoods.

Every year, around 5-6 million bales of raw jute are produced. Additionally, about 1 million people work in the jute trade and industry. Currently, jute and its products contribute to roughly 10% of the country’s total foreign earnings and make up about 4% of the GDP. This highlights jute’s golden history in Bangladesh, where it has been an essential part of the economy and culture for decades.

Exploring the Best Jute Products in Bangladesh

• Jute Bags:

The versatility of jute extends to a myriad of bag designs catering to daily needs. From market shopping to travel and promotional purposes, jute bags are in high demand globally. Fashionable designs cater specifically to women, offering a range from handbags to beach bags, tote bags, sling bags, and sacks.

• Home Decor Items:

Jute products play a pivotal role in enhancing aesthetics within homes. From wall decorations to embroidered paintings, framed products, tapestries, mirrors, toys, lamps, wall hangings, plant hangers, mats, and various storage solutions, jute lends its rustic charm to create a warm and inviting ambiance.

• Jute for Crafts:

In the realm of crafts, jute finds its place in an array of creations. It serves as covers for notebooks and sketchbooks, pen holders, greeting cards, picture frames, document folders, gift containers, tissue boxes, coasters, hammocks, lampshades, jewelry, stationery, dolls, and toys, adding a touch of eco-friendly sophistication to handmade goods.

• Jute Textile:

Jute’s utility extends to textile applications, including hessian cloth, geotextiles, yarn, carpet cloth, hydrocarbon-free cloth, and canvas, offering sustainable alternatives for various industrial and domestic purposes.

• Jute Products:

Beyond bags and crafts, jute lends itself to apparel and furnishings. Fashion enthusiasts can enjoy jute jackets, footwear, and fashion accessories, while home decorators can opt for jute mats, ropes, cushion covers, fabrics, blinds, rugs, and carpets, seamlessly blending sustainability with style.

Other Jute Products Include:

1. Burlap and Hessian Cloth:These fabrics, made from jute yarns, serve packaging purposes due to their coarse and sturdy nature. They come in various qualities tailored for different packaging needs and are often used for covering materials or crafting.
2. Sacking Bags:These bags, crafted from heavy and loosely woven jute fabrics, are commonly employed for storing various commodities.
3. Handbags and Shopping Bags:Jute bags have become a fashionable domestic accessory, with options ranging from trendy handbags to practical shopping and office bags.
4. Jute Yarns:The initial step in creating jute fabric involves converting jute fibers into yarns. These yarns are also sold independently for manufacturing various items, including carpets.
5. Ropes (Yarns):Jute ropes serve as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic options like nylon, finding applications in various industries.
6. Decorative Fabrics:Utilizing jute yarns and fabrics, artisans craft home decor items such as cushion covers, curtains, and bed sheets, enhancing interior aesthetics.
7. Canvas Fabric:Jute canvas, tightly woven, finds use in heavy material packaging due to its durability and strength.
8. Floor Covering:Jute products, including rugs and carpets, provide natural and stylish floor covering solutions.
9. Handmade Mats:Traditional hand-woven jute mats are prevalent in the rural areas of eastern India, showcasing the craftsmanship of local artisans.

Versatility of Jute Products

Jute has numerous applications beyond its traditional use. Its byproducts are utilized in cosmetics, medicine, paints, and various other products.

• Notable Features:

Jute stands out for its eco-friendliness, being entirely biodegradable and recyclable. It demands minimal pesticides and fertilizers, making it a sustainable choice. Renowned for its lustrous golden sheen, it’s aptly dubbed “The Golden Fibre.”

Being the most economical vegetable fiber obtained from the plant’s stem, it’s second only to cotton in global importance and usage. With its robust tensile strength, limited extensibility, and excellent breathability, jute is highly favored for agricultural bulk packaging.

Its versatility extends to theproduction of industrial yarn, fabric, nets, and sacks, catering to diverse sectors like packaging, textiles, construction, and agriculture.

• Unique Qualities:

Despite its advantageous properties, jute exhibits some unique characteristics. Blending it with other fibers alters its breaking tenacity and extensibility. The primary source of top-quality jute lies in the Bengal Delta Plain of the Ganges Delta, mainly in Bangladesh.

Its insulation, antistatic, and moderate moisture-regaining abilities make it a preferred choice. Moreover, jute causes no skin irritations and boasts acoustic insulating properties.

Its compatibility with various dye classes and capacity for blending with other fibers position it favorably in the ever-growing demand for natural comfort fibers.

• Innovations in Processing:

Manufacturers are gearing up to meet the rising demand for jute by modernizing processing techniques, particularly with Rieter’s Elitex system.

This advancement aims to reduce the cost of wet processing treatments, particularly for jute/cotton blends.

Jute’s compatibility with wool is enhanced by treating it with substances like caustic soda or liquid ammonia, which also improve its flame resistance.

• Drawbacks and Remedies:

Despite its many benefits, jute faces challenges like poor drapability, crease resistance, brittleness, and susceptibility to microbial attack in humid conditions.

However, innovations such as enzyme treatment mitigate some of these issues. Enzyme-treated jute also exhibits an improved affinity for natural dyes, facilitating vibrant coloring.

Reactive dyeing further enhances the value of jute products by ensuring bright and durable colors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many jute industries are there in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest jute producer, producing roughly 1.6 million tonnes yearly as of 2019 (FAO). The country has between 220 and 245 private jute mills, while 25 public mills are being privatized through lease arrangements.

In which season jute is cultivated?

Jute cultivation is normally done during the rainy season, with planting taking place between March and May, depending on rainfall and soil type. Harvesting normally takes place between June and September, depending on whether the crop was planted early or late.

What is the difference between white jute and tossa jute?

Tossa jute fibres are stronger, softer, and silkier than white jute, the other form of jute.