Jute: The Golden Fiber
Jute, the 'Golden Fiber' as it is called, is a plant that yields a fiber used for sacking and cordage. Known as the raw material for sacks the world over, jute is truly one of the most versatile fibers gifted to man by nature that finds various uses in the form of Handicrafts. Next to cotton, jute is the cheapest and most important of all textile fibers.

Jute is the cheapest lignocellulosic, long vegetable bast fibre available annually in the world. Jute cultivation provides work for millions of farmers, landless laborers, industrial workers and provides jobs for many others, indirectly.

The Versatile Option
Rapid expansion of jute into a wide range of life style consumer products has been made possible due to the versatility of Jute. Spinning of high quality yarns and weaving of light-weight fine-textured fabrics of uniform structure in exotic colors and designs are made in both jute factories and hand loom sectors. With vastly improved bleaching, dyeing and finishing processes and by blending jute with other natural or synthetic fibers, the finished jute products now ensure feel, luster, abrasion resistance and aesthetic appeal.

Jute Handicrafts
The traditional excellence of Indian craftsmen & artisans is reflected in a wide range of jute handicrafts of utility, decoration and novelty. A beautiful mosaic of Jute handicrafts that comprises of carpets & floor coverings, wall coverings & window dressings, table mats & table-wares, swings, hammocks, office bags, table covers, table mats, pen and pencil stand, wall hangings & room decor, bedspreads & bedroom slippers, blankets & shawls, skirts & jackets, shopping & travel bags and a host of other home textile made ups.

The jute handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh are a unique blend of aesthetic sense and utility. Craftsmen at Hasta Shilp Vikas Nigam have experimented with the fiber. Every artifact emanates a unique charm exclusive to it and the goods so produced are marketed through the MP state emporium, "Mriganayani". Bhopal, Raipur, Indore and Gwalior are major centers for producing jute handicrafts.

CHANGING SCENARIO

Today, jute can be defined as an eco-friendly natural fiber with versatile application prospects ranging from low value geo-textiles to high value carpet, apparel, composites, decoratives, upholstery furnishings, fancy non-wovens for new products, decorative color boards etc. Jute with its unique versatility, rightfully deserves to be branded as the "fiber for the future".

In coming decades, a number of jute mills and mini-jute plants will be seen engaged in a big way in production of jute and jute blended yarns, specially of finer accounts, through various routes of yarn manufacturing. The uses of jute are manifold although the traditional use remains in packing as sacking, hessian and carpet backing. These light weight yarns are to be used in value added textile applications like upholstery, furnishing, garments and bags etc are just a few examples.