In a bid to support the jute sector and promote eco-friendly practices, the Bangladesh government has announced a pilot project to distribute free jute school bags to primary students. State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam revealed that one selected primary school in each of the country's 495 upazilas will receive the bags, benefiting around 99,000 students. A total of 200 students from each selected school will be provided with a free jute school bag.
The initiative, launched under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aims to assess the feasibility of expanding the programme nationwide in phases. The state minister expressed optimism about the project's success, stating, "If the pilot project is successful, free jute school bags will be distributed among all primary school students across the country in the future."
Shariful made the announcement while visiting the jute bag production programme of Jute Fiber BD at Jainabari in Savar. He highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen the jute sector, mentioning the need to import quality jute seeds to meet domestic demand. The ministries of Agriculture and Textiles and Jute are working jointly to achieve self-sufficiency in jute seed production.
The bags will be manufactured by 54 selected small entrepreneurs and procured through the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) PLC, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. The government is also implementing programmes to provide training and credit support to jute farmers, while extending patronage and skill development opportunities to jute goods producers and entrepreneurs.
Textiles and Jute Secretary Sharf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury and senior officials of the ministry were present during the visit. The state minister concluded by stating, "The government is working in a coordinated manner to safeguard the interests of jute farmers and promote the sustainable growth of the country's jute industry."
