ICAR–CRIJAF Celebrates 74th Foundation Day

9 February 2026, Kolkata

The ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (ICAR-CRIJAF), Barrackpore, commemorated its 74th Foundation Day with great enthusiasm on 9 February 2026. On the occasion, an “Innovator–Entrepreneur–Stakeholders Meet and Field Day on New Age Fibres” was also organized, bringing together scientists, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, farmers, and other stakeholders of the natural fibre sector.

Dr. M. S. Parmar, Director General, Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), graced the event as Chief Guest.

In his address, Dr. Parmar congratulated the Director and staff of ICAR-CRIJAF for their commendable achievements and sustained efforts in serving jute farmers. He expressed optimism that the Institute’s comprehensive activities and collaborative initiatives would significantly benefit the plant-based natural fibre sector.

The programme was attended by Dr. D. B. Shakywar, Director, ICAR–National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology; Dr. Pradip Kr. Dey, Director, ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata; and Dr. Anil Kumar Sharma, Director, Indian Jute Industries' Research Association (IJIRA), as Guests of Honour.

Dr. Shakywar lauded the dedicated efforts of past and present staff members that have shaped the Institute into a stakeholder-responsive organization. He reiterated the importance of strengthened collaboration between ICAR-NINFET and ICAR-CRIJAF for the overall advancement of the jute sector.

Dr. Dey highlighted the role of ICAR-ATARI and its network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in supporting and disseminating the technologies developed by ICAR-CRIJAF to ensure farmers derive optimal benefits from jute cultivation.

Dr. Sharma appreciated the Institute’s achievements over its 74-year journey and expressed confidence that both ICAR-CRIJAF and IJIRA would play pivotal roles in promoting new-age fibres in the mainstream textile and technical textile sectors.

Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, reflected on the Institute’s key milestones and achievements. He noted that the Institute has redefined its objectives to better serve jute growers and has successfully scaled up technologies aimed at technological and economic empowerment of the jute sector. Emphasizing holistic utilization of all mandated fibre crops, he underscored the Institute’s commitment to linking technologies with socio-economic upliftment. He highlighted the success of skill development initiatives that have enabled several farm women to emerge as “Lakhpati Didis.” Dr. Kar further emphasized that recent Government initiatives promoting technological advancement and new-age fibres are poised to unlock the full potential of natural fibres in both textile and technical textile applications.

As part of the celebration, short films showcasing the history of the Institute and success stories of Self-Help Groups engaged in producing diversified jute products were screened. A commemorative Foundation Day cake was cut by the dignitaries. Scientists, staff members, entrepreneurs, progressive farmers, and farm women were felicitated for their significant contributions in adopting and popularizing ICAR-CRIJAF technologies.

The programme witnessed participation of more than 300 attendees, including officials from ICAR institutes, State Government departments, representatives from the National Jute Board (NJB) and Jute Corporation of India (JCI), farmers, SHG members, students, entrepreneurs, and media personnel.

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