The environmental and economic prospects of jute with a connection to social factors for achieving sustainable development

Abstract: The increased concern of protection of nature in recent days creates more opportunity and prospects in the natural fibre sector. Jute is a natural fibre. Jute plants mostly grow in the Ganges delta region comprises Bangladesh and India. Bangladesh produces the finest quality of jute in the world. It contributed robustly in the economy of Bangladesh earlier, therefore it was considered as the ‘golden fibre’ of Bangladesh. But with the increased use of synthetic fibre, jute industry lost its glory. Therefore, provoked by the problems of decreased use of jute and the current environmental concern, this research has been conducted. The paper aims to find out the environmental benefits of jute as a natural fibre. Along with that, the economic benefits from the jute industry and value-added diversified products are also examined. To narrow down this study, Bangladesh has been chosen to find out the economic prospects and social factors there, considering Bangladesh is the second largest producer of jute and its emerging economic condition. However, the main goal of this study is to consider the environmental, economic and social factors of jute as a whole and jute’s contribution to sustainable development. To carry out the study, research questions has been set up according to the aim of the study. Literature review has been chosen as a primary method. Interviews have been taken from important key personnel associated with jute sectors playing important role in the research. Qualitative method has been chosen for data analysis. From the literature review and interview outcomes, the results have been formulated. It is found in the study that jute has lots of contribution in the environment. It purifies air, preserves forest, produces natural fertilization, increases fertility of the soil, produces biogas or renewable energy, holds strong biological efficiency and so on. Those benefits are found both in the scientific literatures and also from interviews. Increased demand of natural fibres creates market opportunity of jute. Along with this, the new application with enhanced value make jute products more attractive and economically worthy. Especially in the geotextile, automobile, infra structure and packaging sectors, there is a bright future prospects of jute. The enhanced economic opportunity along with environmental benefits, the jute industry will extend that will create more employment opportunity. Already, in Bangladesh, almost twenty-five million people are associated directly and indirectly with jute industry. Therefore, there is a social influence of jute to the people associated with it. Farmer’s social sustainability depends on the successful jute cultivation. The local entrepreneurs are also getting social access by making themselves independent and confident. Thereby, the relations among these three parts of sustainability-environment, economy and society in relation to jute are attempted to find out through this study.