The Ministry of Textiles reviewed the status of jute cultivation and preparedness for the ongoing crop season at a State Agriculture Conference, while also signing a key agreement to strengthen the jute value chain in the North Eastern Region.
The meeting was chaired by Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Textiles, and attended by senior officials from major jute growing states including Assam, Odisha, Nagaland and Meghalaya. West Bengal and Bihar were not represented. Representatives from key institutions including the Directorate of Jute Development, ICAR Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, National Jute Board, Jute Corporation of India and National Remote Sensing Centre under ISRO also participated.
The conference undertook a comprehensive review of critical aspects of the ongoing jute season, including sowing progress, area coverage, availability and distribution of certified seeds, adoption of improved cultivation practices and preparedness for retting operations aimed at enhancing fibre quality.
The Ministry highlighted the continued implementation of the Jute ICARE initiative, which focuses on improved cultivation and advanced retting practices. The programme supports farmers through distribution of quality seeds, provision of mechanisation tools and field level demonstrations designed to improve productivity and reduce manual labour.
A significant focus of the meeting was on ensuring timely availability of high yielding certified jute seeds and strengthening field level implementation to avoid disruptions during the cultivation cycle. The need for improving retting infrastructure and adopting better fibre extraction practices was also emphasised as a critical factor in enhancing fibre quality and market value.
The National Remote Sensing Centre presented the Jute Crop Information System, demonstrating the use of geospatial technologies for real time crop monitoring, acreage estimation and data driven decision making. The system is expected to support evidence based planning and improve coordination between agencies involved in jute cultivation and procurement.
On the sidelines of the conference, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation, National Jute Board and Jute Corporation of India to strengthen both backward and forward linkages in the jute sector in the North Eastern Region.
The agreement aims to improve market access for jute farmers, enhance value realisation and strengthen procurement and aggregation systems. It also focuses on promoting local processing and value addition, which is expected to generate employment opportunities and support regional economic development.
Neelam Shami Rao emphasised the importance of coordinated action between central and state agencies to address operational challenges and ensure smooth implementation of cultivation practices during the season. She called for greater adoption of mechanisation to reduce drudgery and improve efficiency in farming operations.
Participating states were advised to closely monitor field level progress and take proactive measures to resolve issues related to seed distribution, cultivation practices and post harvest handling. The Ministry underscored the need for timely interventions to maintain productivity and ensure quality output.
The government reiterated its commitment to strengthening the jute sector through integrated measures aimed at improving productivity, enhancing fibre quality and increasing farmer income. Special emphasis is being placed on expanding jute cultivation and strengthening the value chain, particularly in emerging regions such as the North East.
The review reflects a broader strategy to modernise the jute sector by combining traditional practices with technological interventions and market linkages, positioning jute as a sustainable and economically viable crop in India’s agricultural landscape.
