Staff Reporter:

In the remote shoal of Natuarpara under Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj, a floating jute market comes alive on the Jamuna river after the harvest in late monsoon.

According to locals, this market has been operating for over a century.

“This floating jute market started in around 1915. Due to the easy river routes, traders and farmers from remote areas used to arrive here by boats to trade raw jute after harvest. The tradition has continued for over a hundred years,” said Rashed Rehman, an author and local resident.

Visiting the market recently, this correspondent observed hundreds of boats, either loaded with jute or with traders on board, anchored side by side over around a hundred yards to form a floating marketplace near the riverbank.

Bustling trade continued from dawn until late morning, with hundreds of buyers and sellers thronging the spot.

Many were seen coming not only from Kazipur, but also from Jamalpur’s Sarishabari and Madarganj, Tangail’s Bhuapur, Bogura’s Dhunot and Sariakandi, as well as from Sherpur.

Photo: Collected

On the riverbank, many were also seen bringing jute loaded on horse-drawn carts — the only mode of transport in the shoal areas.

“I cultivated jute on four bighas of land. This year I’m getting a fair price,” said Abul Kalam, a farmer from Bogura’s Sariakandi.

Another farmer, Shahjahan Ali of Chandanbaisha, echoed him.

Mohir Uddin, a jute trader from Jamalpur, said, “River transport costs less, so I come here every year. Today I bought 300 maunds of jute at Tk 3,900 to Tk 4,100 per maund.”

Abdur Razzak, a trader from Sariakandi, said, “This market has plenty of jute, so we can choose the quality we want. Moreover, transport is easy for both farmers and traders.”

The market’s leaseholder, Abdul Latif Sarkar, said, “The market runs between August and November. Around 8,000-9,000 maunds of jute are traded daily. Everything is done in cash, and security is ensured.”

According to Kazipur upazila agriculture officer Shariful Islam, jute was cultivated on 14,650 hectares of land this year. Since the weather was favourable, the district has witnessed a bumper harvest.

Kazipur and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas emerged as the leading producers, with jute grown on 4,250 hectares and 3,050 hectares respectively.