In terms of cultivation, jute is the second-largest fibre crop after cotton, and Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest producer of jute, after India, so the achievement of our scientists in developing this new variety could have a significantly positive impact on our economy. Kudos to the brilliant minds at Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, who have triggered the expression of a specific gene in jute plants, which gives a boost to the quality and quantity of these plants -- these scientists were at the forefront of sequencing the genome of jute plants back in 2010 and hold several patents as a result. Make no mistake -- this is a terrific achievement for Bangladesh, and could be the key to getting the most out of jute, which, in spite of being synonymous with Bangladesh, has been neglected in recent years. The prime minister herself has spoken about how valuable the jute sector can be for Bangladesh, and, as a product, it has the potential to play a pivotal role in transforming us into an economic powerhouse. Few things are quite as Bangladeshi as jute; and it is time we fully owned it, and embraced the scientific advancements that will help us move forward.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 26, 2019 18:00 UTC