Textiles Secretary reviews status preparedness of jute cultivation

New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI) Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Textiles, on Wednesday reviewed the status of jute cultivation and preparedness for the ongoing crop season and emphasised the need for ensuring the timely availability of high-yielding varieties of certified jute seeds, and enhancing coordination among central and state agencies.
     Rao highlighted the continued implementation of the Jute-ICARE (Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise) Scheme, which supports farmers through improved seed distribution, mechanisation tools, and field-level demonstrations, the Textile Ministry said in a statement.
     On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), National Jute Board (NJB), and Jute Corporation of India (JCI) to strengthen backward and forward linkages of jute cultivation in the North Eastern Region (NER).
     The MoU aims to facilitate improved market access and value realisation for jute farmers, strengthening procurement and aggregation systems, and promoting processing and value addition in the region.
     Senior officials from major jute-growing states, including Assam, Odisha, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, attended the meeting. However, representatives from the states of West Bengal and Bihar did not attend the State Agriculture Conference.
     Representatives from the Directorate of Jute Development (DoJD), National Jute Board (NJB), Jute Corporation of India (JCI), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, etc. were also present.
     Participating States were advised to closely monitor field-level progress and take proactive measures to address operational challenges during the season, the Textile Ministry stated.
     The meeting reviewed key aspects, including current sowing progress and area coverage; availability and distribution of certified jute seeds Implementation status of improved cultivation practices and fibre quality improvement, among others.
     During the meeting, NRSC and ISRO presented the Jute Crop Information System, showcasing the use of geospatial technologies for crop monitoring, acreage estimation, and decision support, aimed at strengthening evidence-based planning and monitoring.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)