BBC News had a story on the fiber crop, jute (Corchorus olitorius L.). Jute is grown is an annual grown in warm wet climates, primarily in South Asia. "Jute plants need a temperature ranging from 21 to 38 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 70 to 80 per cent. After sowing, around 2 to 3 inches of rainfall is needed per week" (Jute Knowledge Center). Plants are harvested four months after planting. Jute is also less commonly used as a medicinal plant to treat aches, pains, dysentery, cardiac problems, and other ailments.
Jute, a vegetable fibre that can be spun into sackcloth, used to be the 'golden fibre' of Bangladesh.
It brought much-needed foreign income to the impoverished nation.But it lost its lustre in the 1980s after synthetic materials like polythene and plastics were introduced.
Now the natural fibre has made a spectacular comeback.
Exports of jute and jute products from Bangladesh this fiscal year crossed a record billion dollars as demand for the natural fibre is steadily increasing.
Bangladesh's 'golden fibre' comes back from the brink
Jute, a vegetable fibre that can be spun into sackcloth, used to be the 'golden fibre' of Bangladesh.
It brought much-needed foreign income to the impoverished nation.Now the natural fibre has made a spectacular comeback.
Exports of jute and jute products from Bangladesh this fiscal year crossed a record billion dollars as demand for the natural fibre is steadily increasing.
