Study on the Cost and Return of Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) Cultivation at the Farm Level in Different Areas of Bangladesh

2026-06-19T06:33:01+00:00

This study assessed the cost and return of tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) cultivation at the farm level in major jute-growing areas of Bangladesh during the 2023 cropping season. Surveys were conducted in Jashore, Manikganj, Rangpur and Faridpur using a purposive sample of 125 active tossa jute farmers. Data on variable and fixed cost components, yields and market prices were collected through structured personal interviews and analysed using cost and return analysis, break-even analysis and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) estimation. Across locations, the average total variable cost (TVC) was Tk. 84,495 ha⁻¹, while the average total cost (TC) was Tk. 1,19,770 ha⁻¹. Total cash cost (TCC) averaged Tk. 65,045 ha⁻¹, representing 54.3% of TC. Average fibre yield was 3,087 kg ha⁻¹, ranging from 2,363 kg ha⁻¹ in Rangpur to 3,879 kg ha⁻¹ in Jashore, while average stick yield was 5,092 kg ha⁻¹. The average gross return was Tk. 2,06,409 ha⁻¹. Faridpur recorded the highest gross return (Tk. 2,68,555 ha⁻¹) and the highest gross margin on a TVC basis (Tk. 1,95,213 ha⁻¹), mainly because of its comparatively high fibre price and above-average yield. The average break-even price was Tk. 35 kg⁻¹ and the average break-even yield was 2,315 kg ha⁻¹. The BCR on a TVC basis ranged from 1.89 in Rangpur to 3.66 in Faridpur, with an overall average of 2.49. The results indicate that tossa jute cultivation was economically viable in all surveyed locations, although profitability differed substantially across districts. The findings suggest that yield improvement, better price realisation and location-specific support may strengthen farm-level returns, particularly in Rangpur.

Valorisation of Crop Residue Ash as a Soil Amendment and Construction Material: Mechanisms, Limitations and Future Pathways

2026-06-18T10:32:35+00:00

Global agricultural systems generate substantial quantities of crop residues, and a considerable fraction is still managed through open-field burning, with associated greenhouse-gas emissions, particulate release and losses of soil organic matter. Crop residue ash (CRA), produced through combustion or pyrolysis of these residues, has potential value as both a soil amendment and a construction material. This review synthesises the reported evidence on CRA derived from major crop residues, including rice husk, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, maize cob, cotton stalk and groundnut shell. The review characterises variation in ash chemistry, mineralogy, alkalinity, particle size and silica phase, and relates these properties to agronomic and engineering performance. In soils, CRA can contribute to acidity correction, silicon nutrition, potassium and base-cation replenishment, cation exchange capacity enhancement and selected improvements in physical condition; however, response depends strongly on ash type, soil properties and application rate. In construction, high-silica ashes such as rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash can function as supplementary cementitious materials, while selected ashes have been examined in geopolymer, alkali-activated binder, asphalt-filler and sub-base stabilisation applications. The manuscript also evaluates important constraints, including heavy-metal concentration, leaching risk, nutrient imbalance, salinisation, variable quality and the lack of harmonised standards. A recurring distinction is made between ash generated by open-field burning and controlled combustion, as the former is generally less consistent and less reactive. Priority pathways include integrated life cycle assessment, soil microbiome studies, geopolymer optimisation, regulatory harmonisation and techno-economic evaluation. Overall, CRA valorisation offers a plausible circular-economy route, but safe and reliable application requires feedstock-specific characterisation, quality control and context-specific guidance.

Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research

Study on the Cost and Return of Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) Cultivation at the Farm Level in Different Areas of Bangladesh

Valorisation of Crop Residue Ash as a Soil Amendment and Construction Material: Mechanisms, Limitations and Future Pathways