SERA Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, has been implementing the Development and Establishment of the Pilot Project "Organic Jute Cultivation" since February 2019. The initiative aims to integrate jute into certified organic crop rotations while creating new market opportunities for Bangladeshi farmers through sustainable production and value-added jute products.
The project established a pilot organic jute farming system in Lemubari, Manikganj, where farmers adopted environmentally friendly cultivation practices aligned with European organic production standards. Alongside improving soil health and biodiversity, the initiative demonstrated the potential of jute as a dual-income crop by enabling farmers to generate revenue from both traditional jute fibre and nutrient-rich jute leaves for herbal tea production.
As the local implementation partner, SERA Bangladesh supported field-level project implementation, farmer engagement, capacity building, coordination with government stakeholders, and the establishment of sustainable agricultural practices. The project also contributed to developing an inclusive farmer cooperative model, strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting environmentally responsible agriculture.
A major innovation under the initiative was the development of Jute-Tee, an organic herbal tea produced from jute leaves. Laboratory analyses conducted in Germany confirmed its rich nutritional profile, including essential minerals and antioxidants. Through collaboration with European partners, Jute-Tee successfully entered the German market, showcasing Bangladesh's potential to diversify jute products beyond traditional fibre and expand exports of sustainable agricultural commodities.
The project demonstrates how innovation, sustainable agriculture, international collaboration, and value chain development can transform Bangladesh's golden fibre into a modern green product, creating new income opportunities for farmers while promoting environmentally responsible rural development and strengthening Bangladesh's position in global sustainable markets.
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