Research & Development

In India, thorough research and development done by renowned organizations, have led to the empowering of natural qualities of jute, the golden fiber. Now, with the help of technological support and government developmental efforts, jute has entered into several applications creating employment to sustainable human development, thus leading to a more healthier and clean environment. Some of the prominent products which are funded by Government of India, after intensive research and development efforts done by many research institutes in product diversification are :

• DREF spinning system
• Hydro carbon jute items used in packing food grade products like cocoa, coffee, shelled nuts etc.
• Jute blended yarns having jute as the major component, most appropriate for blankets, shawls, pullovers and thick dress materials.
• Yielding of fine blended yarns using Jute/Cotton, Jute/Silk, Jute/Wool etc. for apparel use where jute content is 30-40%.

Applications
Jute based fabrics are particularly used in furnishing, upholstery, carpets, blankets and other home textiles areas. To replace timber, plywood and wood, few R & D organizations have developed jute reinforced composites in the form of flexible rigid board and semi rigid sheets. UNDP has also promoted jute diversification by introducing new technology, promoting employment opportunities by boosting up new entrepreneurs to set up more manufacturing units and improvement of indigenous machine manufacturing sector. As per the study, some of the on going projects are :

• Jute used for paper production
• Jute and other fibers for floor covering blankets
• Jute for knitwear
• Jute based needle-punched carpets
• Development of multi-component yarn from wool

Diversification
In terms of challenge faced by more cheaper synthetic substitutes, more effort has been made on diversification of jute products. Jute has been widely experimented in order to enable jute based products into the textile sector. The main thrust areas of value-added diversified jute products comprise Jute Hand looms and Handicrafts, Non-woven and Industrial Application, Jute Rigid Packaging, Decorative products and Geo-Jute.

Research wings of CRIJAF ( The Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibers )
The main research wings of our national jute institute are :

• Ramie Research Station, Assam
• Sisal Research Station, Orissa
• Sunnhemp Research Station, Uttar Pradesh
• Central Seed Research Station for Jute & Allied Fibres, West Bengal

Main Research Areas
The institute is authorized to carry out research activities in the following fields :

• Development of jute and allied fiber crops for biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Production of jute fibers and allied fiber crops for yield and quality.
• For improving the quality of fiber, development of proper post harvest technology.
• Transfer of human resource development and technology in relation to jute and allied fiber crops.
• Development of economically feasible, sustainable production technology and cropping systems with jute and allied fiber crops.