ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata celebrates its 87th Foundation Day

3rd January 2024, Kolkata

ICAR- National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology celebrated its 87th Foundation Day today. The Institute organized five different national events under the banner ‘National Natural Fibre Festival (NNFF) 2025 from 2nd to 4th January 2025.

The Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh graced the 87th Foundation Day of ICAR-NINFET on 3rd January 2025. He inaugurated the exhibition stalls and visited various laboratories of the Institute. Shri Singh lauded the outstanding work of ICAR-NINFET scientists in areas such as jute yarn softening for woollen garments, bamboo-jute-viscose blended fabric, and the AI-enabled grading system. He highlighted the 15% growth in textile exports in recent years and noted a promising future for jute in the carpet industry. The Minister encouraged the textile sector to meet its targets, currently set at a market size of $176 billion, and urged jute mills to adopt new technologies to benefit both the industry and Indian farmers.

The Guest of Honour, Shri Malay Chandan Chakraborty, Jute Commissioner, commended the efforts of ICAR-NINFET scientists and the success of collaborative projects with the National Jute Board. He expressed a strong desire to initiate new projects with NINFET in the future, fostering an even stronger partnership between the two organizations.

Dr S.N. Jha, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering) ICAR, encouraged scientists to focus on innovative research, particularly in maximizing the use of natural fibres, such as jute by-products, in food products. He also emphasized the importance of developing centres of excellence through the modernization of laboratories.

Dr D.B. Shakyawar, ICAR-NINFET, highlighted the institute's achievements over the past five years. He assured the country and natural fibre-producing farmers of new research technologies in the field of natural fibres that would promote sustainable development and increase farmers' income. Dr Shakyawar also urged the Minister to designate ICAR-NINFET as a Centre of Excellence and an Institute of National Importance.

On the occasion, the Institute launched several materials, including its Technology Profile, the BIS IS-7032-2024 Standard, the NINFET Newsletter, a leaflet on keratin extraction from waste wool, and a video on jute leaf tea, handicrafts, and bag training.

An Entrepreneur's Meet was held as part of the Foundation Day celebrations, during which six Memorandums of Agreement were signed.
Dr K. Narasaiah, Assistant Director General (Process Engineering) ICAR, coordinated the programme.

(Source: ICAR- National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata)