| Jute a versatile fibre Jute is a truly | | | | China's strengthening import demand will also |
| versatile fibre gifted to man by nature .One | | | | enhance the export trade activities which |
| of the most valuable natural resources of | | | | otherwise would have declined. |
| India. With the growing concern over the | | | | |
| damage to the environment that plastic may | | | | China's demand for jute is said to balance |
| cause in manier fields jute has served to be | | | | the demand for jute which otherwise was said |
| the best alternative. As a natural fibre, it | | | | to decline with the fast decline in |
| has many advantages over synthetics. Jute | | | | consumption and import demand by Pakistan, a |
| handicrafts of India have created a niche the | | | | traditional importer of fibber. Not only that |
| world over. Jute has been recognized as | | | | but due to Chinese demand world market is |
| environment friendly as it is biodegradable | | | | expected to increase the proportion of jute |
| which merge with the soil after sustained use | | | | traded, from 36 percent of total world |
| providing nourishment to the soil. | | | | production to 39 percent by 2010. Bangladesh |
| | | | is expected to remain the largest net |
| Traditional jute products occupy a dominant | | | | exporting country accounting for over 75 |
| share in both the production and exports. | | | | percent of world trade in aggregated jute |
| Over all it is seen that this marvelous fiber | | | | fibber and goods. Net exports from India, the |
| is cultivated almost exclusively in | | | | second largest net exporting country, are |
| developing countries of East Asia and in some | | | | expected to remain stable at approximately |
| parts of Latin America. Bangladesh, India and | | | | 185 000 tones. Sacking and carpet backing are |
| Thailand account for over 90 percent of world | | | | likely to be the main jute products exported. |
| production. Jute constitutes a low proportion | | | | Exports of fibber are projected to remain at |
| of the value of world trade, but its | | | | around 250 000 tones. Government promotions |
| cultivation and processing is labor-intensive | | | | for Jute sector our government has also |
| and therefore provides a livelihood and an | | | | recognized the fact that this important |
| important source of food security for many | | | | sector of the economy has not been given its |
| farmers and their families in Asia. Jute | | | | due importance in the recent past. However |
| Export Scenario India is the world's largest | | | | the Indian government is seen playing its |
| producer of raw jute. It alone produces | | | | active role in carrying out supportive |
| world's 50% of raw jute and 40% of finished | | | | measures to further enhance the exports trade |
| jute goods. It is said that employment of | | | | market. |
| approximately 40 million farmers and 0.2 | | | | |
| million-factory workers in India depends upon | | | | It is said to carry out research and |
| this golden fibber. Approximately total | | | | development; technology upgradation; creation |
| number of jute mills in India is 73 out of | | | | of infrastructure for storage and marketing |
| which 59 of them are in West Bengal. West | | | | of raw jute and product and market |
| Bengal is the largest Jute producing state in | | | | development activities for jute and |
| the country accounting for 71% of the | | | | diversified jute products. Jute Manufacturers |
| production. | | | | Development Council (JMDC) supported by its |
| | | | three branch offices provides direct |
| The states of Bizarre and Assume rank second | | | | assistance and marketing through its |
| and third respectively. Jute, the 'golden | | | | showrooms, regular exhibitions-cum-sales all |
| fiber' has traditionally been woven and | | | | over the country and abroad and also by |
| knotted and braided by women of Bengal, often | | | | organizing domestic workshops and seminars. |
| for domestic storage too. Today Bengal is a | | | | It also organizes demonstrations and training |
| major producer of jute goods ranging from | | | | programs for farmers in improved agriculture |
| plush jute-blended carpets, to decorative | | | | practices. The Jute Corporation of India |
| tapestries, garden pot hangings, decorative | | | | provides the farmers just prices for their |
| handbags, bedspreads and more. In 50 villages | | | | crops through price support operations in the |
| of the Kaliaganj area in West Dinajpur, the | | | | event of farmers getting the prices below |
| process of coloring, weaving of jute on | | | | minimum support price. At times it also takes |
| single looms goes on, as the world outside | | | | commercial purchase of raw jute for jute |
| turns once again to this wonderful natural | | | | mills, directly from farmers or through jute |
| fiber. Assuming that weather conditions and | | | | cooperatives. It also plans to Increase |
| yield of jute follow their normal patterns, | | | | exports through innovative marketing |
| world production of jute is projected at 2.4 | | | | strategies and improvement of product design |
| million tones by 2010. India is projected to | | | | and quality consciousness in the jute |
| increase its dominance of global jute | | | | industry and also by developing |
| production, accounting for 66 percent of the | | | | infrastructure facilities in the |
| world production by 2010, compared to 58 | | | | predominantly textile and apparel export |
| percent in the past. Export trend as seen by | | | | oriented areas in close co-operation with |
| experts reveals that USA, Belgium, Syria, and | | | | Financial Institutions and the private |
| UK, TURKEY had been the five major importing | | | | sector. The Government's effort with UNDP to |
| countries for Indian Jute Goods which | | | | develop jute sector mainly through |
| accounted for about 51% of total value of | | | | diversification of jute products seem to have |
| Jute Goods. Other five major countries | | | | paid off and the jute industry has taken off |
| importing jute from India were Japan, Egypt, | | | | to transform itself from the once sunset |
| Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Germany, which | | | | industry into sunrise industry. |
| accounts for 18% of total value of exports. | | | | |