ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore Organises ‘Krishak Sabha & Farmers–Scientists–Industry–Stakeholders’ Meet’; Union Agriculture Minister Calls for Technology-led Growth in Jute Sector

14 July 2026, Barrackpore

ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore, organised the ‘Krishak Sabha & Farmers–Scientists–Industry–Stakeholders’ Meet’ today. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare & Rural Development, Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Prior to the inaugural session, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the ICAR-CRIJAF Technology and Product Museum, Self Help Group (SHG) stalls and research experiment plots. He inaugurated the improved electrically operated multifibre bast fibre decorticator and flax line fibre extractor, highlighting that these farm mechanisation technologies would reduce cultivation costs, minimise retting duration and require less water. The Union Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Biotechnology Complex, which will facilitate advanced research in jute and new-age fibre breeding.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed satisfaction with the research and development efforts of ICAR-CRIJAF and urged jute farmers to adopt innovative cultivation technologies for producing high-quality fibre. He said such quality fibre could be utilised by SHGs to manufacture value-added jute products with strong export potential. Stressing the need for modern technologies and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), he called for organised and profitable jute farming in West Bengal.

The Union Minister reiterated that the Government has given due importance to the labour-intensive nature of jute while determining the Minimum Support Price (MSP). As a result, the MSP of jute has nearly doubled over the last 12 years, encouraging its cultivation across the country.

He also emphasised the need to eliminate intermediaries in jute marketing to ensure better returns for farmers. Appreciating ICAR-CRIJAF's initiatives, he lauded the Institute for training farm women in producing jute-based handicrafts, hand-stitched jute bags and value-added products from fibre crop by-products. He also interacted with several 'Lakhpati Didis' trained by the Institute.

Calling for collective efforts to support both farming and artisan communities, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that strengthening the jute production system would not only enhance farmers' incomes but also contribute significantly to environmental sustainability.

Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, highlighted that ICAR and its institutes are undertaking problem-solving research to address constraints limiting the potential productivity of field crops.

He observed that West Bengal has tremendous potential for jute cultivation and stressed that ICAR and the State Government should work together on quality seed production within the State and accelerate the adoption of improved technologies through demand-driven, need-based research for enhancing productivity.

Shri Dudh Kumar Mandal, Agriculture Minister of West Bengal and Guest of Honour, stated that while West Bengal continues to record the highest jute productivity in the country, sustained growth will depend on the continued adoption of improved varieties, modern machinery and advanced production technologies.

Shri Kalyan Chakraborty, Minister for Information Technology and Electronics; Science & Technology and Bio-technology; Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, Government of West Bengal, emphasised the importance of organic farming, soil health management and waste-to-wealth approaches for ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.

Dr D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, appreciated ICAR-CRIJAF's significant contribution to improving jute productivity, attributing the progress primarily to the development and adoption of climate-resilient varieties. He noted that faster varietal replacement with newly developed cultivars has played a major role in enhancing productivity.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, briefed the gathering on the Institute's initiatives for farmers, Self Help Groups and other stakeholders in the jute sector while showcasing its technologies and products. He reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to achieving the vision of 'Fibre-to-Foreign' through the production of premium-quality fibre and export-oriented value-added products.

Sri Onkar Singh Meena, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, also graced the programme as Guest of Honour.

Around 200 farmers, farm women, entrepreneurs, industry representatives, scientists from ICAR institutes, government officials, and members of the press and media participated in the programme.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks to the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare & Rural Development, the distinguished guests, scientists, farmers, jute industry representatives, SHGs, FPOs/FPCs, media representatives and all others associated with the successful organisation of the meet.

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