In Gouripur, Mymensingh, farmer Abdul Motalib has set a new example by producing strong and beautiful fibers like jute from Okra plants. He is the son of the late Abdul Mannan (Munnash) of Gouripur Municipality. Curious people are flocking from far and wide to know about this matter. Due to the strength and high quality of okra fiber, farmers are now able to make additional economic profits by using and selling it. This is the first time in the country that okra fiber is being produced and used. Abdul Motalib said that he is a sharecropper. He sows 120-130 okra seeds on just one percent of his land.
About 35 kg of okra was found there. When Okra trees died due to waterlogging due to heavy rains, he, on the advice of his neighbor Mofiz Uddin, immersed the tall and healthy Okra plants in water for 7 days and peeled off the bark and dried them in the sun, which can be used as fiber like jute. He also said that now it is seen that Okra fiber is more beautiful than jute. A lot of fiber has been obtained from each 8-9 feet tall tree. It can also be used to make dal or jute-like products. We have stretched it to make strong rope, but it did not tear. As a result, it is also possible to market Okra fiber. Local farmers said that they are impressed by the length and strong fiber of the Okra plant. Okra chalk can also be obtained, which can be used for fuel. This has created an opportunity to use Okra in a new way in addition to vegetables. Deputy Assistant Agricultural Officer Md. Ubayd Ullah Noori told Daily Morning Glory, I am amazed! The first time I saw it, I came to know that jute-like fibers have been produced from the Okra tree. Farmer Abdul Motalib made it successful on his own initiative. Upazila Agriculture Officer Nilufar Yasmin Jolly said, I also saw the dal made from Okra fibers, which are very strong. It is usable like jute. The Highbridge species of Okra tree grows 8-10 feet tall and has fewer branches. The farmer has created a new record by producing fibers from this species of Okra tree.We will start working on this issue anew. If successful, the farmer will get fibers and Okra leaves from the Okra tree in addition to vegetables, which will be versatile and beneficial.