In an effort to improve production and productivity of raw Jute in India, Ministry of Textiles will make available certified jute seeds to the farmers through the Jute Corporation of India (JCI). National Seeds Corporation (NSC), a Central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare would be ensuring delivery of these quality certified seeds to the JCI. An MoU in this regard was signed between the JCI and NSC Wednesday. Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani and Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar witnessed the MoU signing through virtual mode, in which Vinod Kumar Gaur, CMD, NSC and Ajay Kumar Jolly, CMD, JCI were also present. The MoU will ensure distribution of certified jute seeds through JCI in the year 2021-2022.
Speaking during the MoU signing, Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani said that there was a special provision for jute and jute textile products in the National Technical Textiles Mission which was announced in February this year. There is immense potential for increasing the use of jute in lining of water bodies, road building and construction of structures to contain landslides in hilly areas. The minister said that in addition to becoming self-reliant in requirement of jute for the domestic market, the next target is to strengthen the export potential of the country in jute and its products.
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar appreciated the work of the National Seeds Corporation in providing good quality seeds at low cost for jute farmers. He stressed on the importance of improving the production and quality of raw jute in the country. He also stressed on preparing a roadmap for building jute export potential within a fixed time frame.
According to Ministry of Textiles, purchased from National Seeds Corporation, JCI will distribute 10,000 quintals of jute seeds of JRO-204 variety in the 2021-22 crop year which is expected to benefit 5-6 lakh farm families. It will reduce the spurious seed market, while augmenting the revenue of JCI. The increase in productivity will enhance the income of the farmers and will go a long way in reaching the target of doubling the farmers’ income by 2022.
The three agencies in the field – the Jute Corporation of India (JCI), National Jute Board (NJB) and Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibres (CRIJAF) are promoting modern agronomic practices for overall improvement of quantity and quality of jute under the jute project ICARE.
The quality of raw jute produced has been adversely affected over the years due to low quality seeds and spurious seeds. This MoU will ensure that jute farmers are able to get the best quality seeds meeting the demands of the varying agro-climate conditions and intensive cropping system.
