Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise for Jute (Jute – ICARE) which was launched in 2015 and recently developed microbial-assisted retting among farmers intensively in a few blocks in West Bengal and Assam on pilot basis. The improved agronomic practices include: line sowing of jute using seed drill to increase yield by 10-15%; weed management in jute by wheel hoeing/nail weeder instead of hand weeding for reducing the cost of weeding; and distribution of quality certified seeds at 50% subsidy.

Central Research Institute for Research in Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF) developed a microbial consortium called SONA, to enhance the quantity of fibre yield by 20% as well as its quality in terms of grade by at least 1 ½ grades. Also, under the project, regular SMSes are sent in regional languages on improved practices in jute cultivation, to registered farmers. On an average over 50 SMS-es are sent to each farmer at various intervals during the project. Supply of Seed drills and Nail weeders is undertaken for demonstration purpose.

As a result of these interventions, the earnings of jute farmers have increased by more than Rs.10,000 per hectare.

In view of the encouraging results of the Jute ICare pilot project, a joint meeting was held on 22.03.2017 by honorable minister of textiles and minister of agriculture for extending the reach of Jute I-Care programme through the State Agriculture Extension machinery. Representatives from state governments, agricultural research agencies, National Jute Board, Jute Corporation of India etc., participated in the meeting.

 Apparel and Textile News, Apparel Talk, Indian Apparel