Here’s Why Farmers Should Adopt Jute Farming?

Jute is one of the essential natural fibre cash crops that grow in hot and moist climates. India is the world’s biggest producer of jute after Bangladesh.The East and Northeastern regions of India, such as West Bengal, Orissa, Meghalaya and Bihar are major producers of jute.

Jute farming, an essential agricultural practice, involves the cultivation of jute plants to obtain the versatile natural fiber. Jute, known as the “Golden Fiber,” holds significant economic importance worldwide. It is primarily grown in regions with favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil. Jute farming provides livelihood opportunities for farmers and promotes rural development.

The crop requires adequate rainfall and warm temperatures for optimal growth. Jute plants are harvested when the stems are mature, and the fibers are extracted through a process called retting. The strong and durable jute fiber finds extensive use in various industries, including textiles, packaging, and handicrafts, contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Due to its fertile alluvium soils and favorable climate, the Ganga Delta is a great place for jute cultivation. Jute can grow in clay or sandy loam. Let’s explore some benefits of Jute farming in India along with some of the major challenges faced by Jute farmers.

• Jute can grow at different altitudes, from sea level to a height of up to 1,000 meters. 
• The packaging, paper, textiles and building and automotive sectors are the primary uses of jute.
• In India, the total amount of raw jute production is approximately 10.8 million tonnes. 
• Jute is a natural, renewable, biodegradable and eco-friendly product which complies with all the requirements of safe packaging.
• Jute leaves are rich in calcium, vitamin A, C or K that is vital to good hair, tooth and bone health.

Methods of Jute Farming in India

Below we have mentioned few methods of jute farming in India:

• Soil preparation

Jute can grow in any kind of soil. But it is necessary to plow jute, weed the area a number of times and remove all weeds as thoroughly as possible. But for best harvest, the needs must be good tilth and pH should range from 4.8 to 5.8.

• Sowing and Irrigation

Broadcasting is the oldest method to sow the Jute. In the sowing process jute seeds are composite with loose soil and kept at a distance of 30 to 40 cm. A good rainfall of 500 to 600 mm and plenty of sunlight are necessary for the cultivation of Jutes

• Weeding

The first weeding of jute is done within the 15-20 days of sowing and second after 30-35 days. It can be done manually or mechanically.

• Harvesting

Harvesting of jute plants occurs post flowering. In the process of harvesting leaves are cut off, covered in bundles and sunk in water. After this process tissue gets softened, and the hard pectin bond between the bast and jute hurd is broken. 

Climatic Conditions 

The first weeding of jute is done within the 15-20 days of sowing and second is conducted after 30-35 days. 

• Jute farming needs warm and humid climatic conditions along with plenty of sunshine. 
• It requires rainfall between 160 cm to 200 cm per year and 2.5 to 3.5 cm per week. 
• Overall, jute farming in India involves these important methods. Apart from these methods, a farmer must use good quality Jute seeder, Loom Machine and tractors like Swaraj Tractor for effective results. 

Challenges in Jute Farming

Jute Farming in India is faces various challenges such as lack of modernization, low market prices, labour intensiveness and climate change. In order to improve and encourage the Jute industry, the Indian government has taken several initiatives.

Role Of Government In the Jute Industry 

The Indian government has played a major role in promoting innovation in the jute sector. Some of the government’s initiatives are given below.

How Farmers Can Earn Profit In Jute Farming

Farmers can also earn profit in jute farming also if they follow proper practices. Below we have listed some ways for farmers to earn a profit in jute farming:

Use of Modern Technology: Farmers can adopt new technologies for jute cultivation practices. For instance, he should use appropriate irrigation, high-quality seeds, timely weeding, fertilization techniques, and pest control measures to raise yields and profits.

Use of best Machines and Equipment: Machines and equipment plays a crucial role in jute cultivation, which is why a farmer should buy good brands of a tractor, such as escort tractor, and use high-quality seeds for farming.

Direct selling: Farmers can sell their jute products to the Jute Corporation of India (JCI) or other jute mills directly and get a reasonable price for their products. This can help them to remove intermediaries and increase profits for jute farmers in India.