Officials of NJB, JCI, ICAR-CRIJAF and Agriculture Department during the signing of the MOU in Kohima on September 26.
Agreement aims at large-scale jute farming, training and mechanisation across districts
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 26
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Jute Board (NJB), Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (ICAR-CRIJAF) and the Agriculture Department, Government of Nagaland, was signed today in Kohima for the promotion and large-scale cultivation of jute in Nagaland.
The MoU will explore diverse research activities for improved cultivation practices and varied industrial applications of jute and new-age fibres such as flax. It was signed in the presence of Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Fibre), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, officials from NJB, JCI, ICAR-CRIJAF, Agriculture Production Commissioner of Nagaland (APC) Wezope Kenye, Industries & Commerce Secretary Kumar Ramnikant, Agriculture Director Sanuzo Nienu and officials from the Agriculture Department.
Padmini Singla said that the MoU aims to establish a strategic partnership to promote jute and its impact in Nagaland. Stating that Nagaland has a rich agro-climatic zone, rich biodiversity and a resilient farming community, she said, “With this combination, sustainable agriculture and farmers remuneration is very much possible.”
Informing that training activities will start by November along with financial support and mechanisation of jute, she said, “I am sure that jute and allied fibres will take a very strong foothold in the state of Nagaland and could become a model state in the North East where the entire eco system of jute and allied fibres exist.”
APC Wezope Kenye meanwhile said that the signing of the MoU will see that “Jute shines in Nagaland” and hoped there would not be any hitch to take up jute cultivation in Nagaland.
Shahshi Bhushan Singh, Secretary & CEO, NJB said that the board has various schemes relating to marketing and promotion of jute products and it will try to converge the schemes with the state government. He assured to provide seed at subsidized rate including machinery, technical and training support to the farmers. “This initiative will generate additional remuneration for the jute farmers in Nagaland,” he said.
Viwheto Thorie, Joint Director, Agriculture & Mission Director, National Food Security Mission (NFSM) said that under the jute program, the department had conducted some demonstration programs covering Peren, Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Niuland, Wokha and part of Mon and Mokokchung districts. With the signing of the MoU, he said, the jute production as well as marketing can be channelized for the benefit of the farmers, he said.
Scope of Collaboration
* Agriculture Department: To identify agricultural schemes.
* NJB: To provide technical, financial, and promotional support under the Jute ICARE and New Age Fibre Mission.
* CRIJAF: To provide technical guidance, seed varieties, and R&D support.
* JCI: To establish procurement and price support mechanisms for fibre cropsScope of MoU
* The Scope of the MoU is to promote and expand jute cultivation across the state, building on the existing farming practices.
* The focus is to encourage more farmers to grow jute on a larger scale, improve agronomy and cultivation techniques, and ultimately help farmers achieve better quality jute, higher yields, and increased income.
* In addition to jute, the MoU includes introducing new-age natural fibres like sisal, flax and ramie.
* These fibres will be cultivated on a pilot scale to explore their potential as alternative crops. The initiative seeks to diversify fibre production, support sustainable agriculture, and provide farmers with more income opportunities.
