Agro textiles are receiving a major push under the Government’s efforts to boost the technical textiles sector in the country. With this objective, the Ministry of Textiles launched the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) in 2020. Under the Mission, 14 research projects related to agro textiles have been approved. Further, a Climate-Smart Agro Textile Demonstration Centre was established at Navsari, Gujarat in December 2024 at a total cost of ₹3.73 crore to promote innovative and sustainable agro textile applications in agriculture through live demonstrations, farmer training and awareness programmes. The centre, operated by SASMIRA, aims to enhance productivity, reduce costs, improve climate resilience and encourage sustainable practices — and has already trained 576 farmers so far.
National Technical Textiles Mission is a Pan-India initiative to promote technical textiles in the country. The Mission has strategic focus on agro textiles, recognizing its vital role in enhancing agricultural sustainability and productivity. The interventions under NTTM focus on Research & Innovation, Market Development, Export Promotion and Skilling.
List of Research & Development Projects approved for Agro textiles under NTTM
| S. No. | Project Title | Implementing Institute |
| 1 | Insecticide incorporated Agronets: Green Technology to minimize the insecticide burden to biosphere | Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), DRDO, Assam |
| 2 | Development of long lasting and biodegradable electrospun/ needle punch nonwoven composite mulch using natural fibrous wastes. | IIT Delhi |
| 3 | Evaluation of natural fibre based agro-textile products in protected eco-friendly structures for production of high value horticultural crops | IIT Kharagpur |
| 4 | Functional textiles for tackling organophosphate insecticides, pesticides and nerve agents’ toxicity | IIT-Indore |
| 5 | Use of Jute Agro Textiles as prospective mulching material to test the suitability of mango based intercropping systems towards increasing crop productivity and promotion of livelihood security for the backward farming community Red and Lateritic Zones of West Bengal | Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, West Bengal |
| 6 | Sustainable use of unconventional fibres of Indian Himalayas for Agro textiles | CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur |
| 7 | Development of natural herbal extract coated seed protection bag using natural fiber with long lasting mechanical and insecticidal properties | South Indian Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore |
| 8 | Development of Crop cover, mulch, soil protection fabrics and other products using Sun hemp and Banana Fibre | Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), Ghaziabad |
| 9 | Development of Energy Responsive Agrotextile for low cost opportunities to grow off-season vegetable/fruits | Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA), Mumbai |
| 10 | Development of eco-friendly natural fibres based sustainable agro-textiles for packaging of agro products with protection against rodents, microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses and UV repellent properties | Wool Research Association (WRA), Mumbai |
| 11 | Development of jute bags for protection and quality preservation of stored seeds | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Kolkata |
| 12 | Natural fibre waste to planting growth media: development characterization and evaluation in soilless crop production system | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Kolkata |
| 13 | Development of Tunable Agro textile with Smart Functionalities For Enhanced Crops Production | Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research–Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR–CLRI), Chennai |
| 14 | Development of foam-in-place packaging using agricultural residue | IIT Kanpur |
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES PABITRA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
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