Shri Giriraj Singh visits ICAR-CRIJAF

2nd January 2025, Barrackpore

ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres organized jute growers’ industries and stakeholders meet today to create a continuum of fibre production to market, value chain and export.

The Chief Guest, Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, interacted with stakeholders in the jute sector during his visit to the institute. He toured the museum and technology hall, showcasing the best production technologies and products related to jute and allied fibres. The Minister engaged with stakeholders to discuss strategies for scaling up the cultivation of these important crops.

He then visited ongoing research in various laboratories and the advanced breeding programme at the biotechnology unit. He felicitated three women, known as Lakhpati Didis, who earn over a lakh annually and visited the seed and farm machinery stall, where JAF seed varieties and farm implements were displayed and lauded the institute for developing 100 varieties of JAF crops through its network projects.

During his visit to the Skill Development Centre, the Textile Minister urged the trainees to seek additional training from the National Institute of Fashion Technology for product value addition. The Minister launched a book titled Systematic Overview of Research Development in Jute and Allied Fibre Crops and urged scientists to diversify Jute product uses. He highlighted ICAR-CRIJAF's efforts in producing bioethanol, bio CNG, biochar, jute as a leafy vegetable, and paper pulp. The Minister urged farmers to make the most of the technologies and activities developed by ICAR-CRIJAF.

At the outset, Dr Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, briefed about the achievements and ongoing activities at the institute.

During the event, MoUs were signed with Shaktigarh Textile Pvt. Ltd. for a bioethanol and bio CNG pilot project and with Jayshree Textiles and OG Hemp to upscale flax cultivation. A jute industry stakeholder meet, with 50 participants, was also organized prior to the MoUs.

A total of 400 jute growers, industry representatives, scientists, officials, members of self-help groups, FPOs, FPCs, other stakeholders and media persons attended the progeamme.

(Source: ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore, Kolkata)