In knotty problems

In knotty problems

News:

1. The jute industry faces a number of issues which hinder it from reaping benefit from plastic bans across different states in India

Important facts:

2. Major issues with jute cultivation and jute industry:

• Decrease in quality of raw jute
• Continuous decrease in land under jute cultivation- according to Union Textile Ministry, there has been a 9.5% drop in area under jute cultivation
• Further, since raw jute prices is below support price in 2017-18, it is estimated that area under cultivation may further decrease or stagnate in 2018-19
• Primitive labour intensive cultivation methods, retting (drenching raw jute in water to extract fibre) create problems
• Jute industries have not upgraded their technology and are dependent on government support like packaging reservations. Only limited number of industries has diversified into non-packaging sector

3. Initiatives taken:

The Jute Foundation” (TJF)

• They have been trying to engage all stakeholders (farmers, mill workers, research organizations and consumers) for revival of jute industry and promote use of jute.
• They have been working with Indian Jute Research Association to introduce thin and slim jute bags so as to compete with the plastic bags

I-CARE

• It is a programme launched by National Jute Board and Jute Corporation of India
• It has launched a pilot project on retting technology which aims a increasing farmer’s returns