Exploring the Future Potential of Jute in Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract:The study assesses the future potential of the jute sector in Bangladesh by examining its growth performance, international competitiveness, profitability, and production efficiency using national time-series data of over the period 1973-2013 and farm survey data from 289 farmers from two major jute growing areas of Bangladesh. Results revealed that the jute sector has experienced substantial growth in area, production, productivity, prices, and exports. However, productivity has stagnated during the latter 10-year period (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013), while it grew at a rate of 1.3% per annum (p.a.) during the first 31-year period . Only traditional jute production is globally competitive, although financial profitability of white jute is relatively higher (benefit cost ratio = 1.24 and 1.17, respectively). Land, labor, and irrigation are the main productivity drivers for jute. The mean production efficiency of jute is estimated at 75% indicating substantial scope to improve yield by eliminating inefficiency. Marginal farmers are relatively inefficient. Policy implications include investments in research and development, irrigation, and tenurial reform and export protection for white jute in order to revive the sector and boost export earnings.

Assessment of Technical Efficiency and Its Potential Determinants among Small-Scale Coffee Farmers in Rwanda

“…where Z i represents a vector of independent variables, and δ denotes a vector of unknown coefficients to be estimated. ω i is a random error term defined by a normal distribution with a mean of zero and unknown variance, σ 2 [21,26,27]. The application of SFA requires a specification of the appropriate functional form, where Cobb-Douglas (CD) and transcendental logarithmic (TL) functional forms are commonly known in the literature.…”

“…For this study, the likelihood ratio test indicates that CD production function is the most appropriate functional form that effectively fits our data than the TL. The model is then specified as follows [21,25,27]:…”

Responses of seed germination, seedling growth under salinity stresses and variability for phenotypic traits in Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)

“…The global rise in sea water level initiates the salinity problems where 20 % (45 million ha) of total globally irrigated area (230 million ha) affected by salinity problem (5). More than 1.02 million ha of land were saline affected in Bangladesh, which is marvellous potential for developing jute fiber yield (6). As different levels of salinity tolerances in various jute genotypes, it is necessary to isolate highly salt-tolerant genotypes for research and cultivation purposes.…”

Crop sequences for increasing cropping intensity and productivity

“…Transplanted aman (T.aman) rice was grown during the Kharif season and it was the first crop of the sequence. Fertilizer management and intercultural operations like weeding, mulching, irrigation and pest management were done according to Rahman et al (2008). Seedlings were grown in adjacent plot and transplanting was done with 20 to 25 days old seedling of rice var.…”