Jute production to be 20% lower this year on floods

September 14, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN Topics

Jute production to be 20% lower this year on floods

Sub: Geo

Sec: Eco geo

Context:

Jute production is expected to decrease by 20% this financial year.
Reason: Natural calamities, including floods, affected cultivation in West Bengal and Assam.

About Jute crop and Jute production trends in India:

Jute production	India is one of the world’s largest producers of jute, second only to Bangladesh.
Main Production Areas	West Bengal (top producer), Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, Chattisgarh
Revolution	Golden Fibre Revolution focuses on the production of jute.
Export Potential	Annual jute exports could reach ₹4,500 crore. Last year’s exports: ₹3,000 crore Projected exports for the current fiscal year: ₹3,500 crore
Climate Requirements	Thrives in hot, humid climate Requires temperatures between 24°C to 37°C Annual rainfall of 120-150 cm
Growing Season	Usually sown between March and May Harvested between June and September
Economic Importance	Provides employment to millions of farmers and industrial workers Significant export commodity Used in various industries (textiles, packaging, construction)
Research and Development	Ethanol extraction from jute plants: Lab testing completed Estimated yield: 495 litres of ethanol per tonne of jute plant
Challenges	Competition from synthetic fibers Climate change impacts (floods, droughts) Labor shortages Fluctuating market prices
Government Initiatives	Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute Jute packaging mandatory for certain commodities Research and development for new jute products Jute Technology Mission 2.0: The National Jute Board is preparing a draft.
Environmental Benefits	Biodegradable and eco-friendly Helps in carbon sequestration
Recent Trends	Diversification into value-added products Exploring new applications in various sectors