Lok Sabha Question No. 3913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Production of Natural Fibres
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3913 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2017

## PRODUCTION OF NATURAL FIBRES

## 3913.  SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

(a)    whether  the  Government  has  noted  that,  natural  fibres  are  facing  stiff  competition  and challenge from synthetic fibres like polyester and acrylic;

(b)  if so, the details of the steps being taken by the Government to enhance the  productivity of natural fibres, especially cotton;

(c)  whether the Government is planning to implement innovative technologies to reduce the cost of production of natural fibres and if so, details thereof; and

(d)    whether  the  Government  is  organising  outreach  programmes  to  sensitize  people  on  the usage  of  ecofriendly  natural  fibres  and  if  so,  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  and  utilized thereunder during each of the last three years?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री अज      )

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a) & (b): No,  Madam.  The  consumption  of  natural  fibres  has  increased  from  72.94%  in 2014-15  to  75.34%  in  2016-17  vis-à-vis  total  fibres  used  majorly  in  textiles.  The  data  on estimated domestic consumption of natural and man-made fibres during the last three years is at Annexure .

(c): Research and Development in natural fibres such as Banana, Himalayan nettle, Bamboo and hemp are supported under 'Scheme for research and Development for the Textile Industry'

by providing financial support to reputed research agencies including Textile  Research Associations (TRAs),  Universities, Industry Associations,  Government  approved  research centers such as IITs/ Government aided Institutions/recognized engineering colleges/institutions approved by DST/DSIR, etc.

For  development  of  Banana  Fibre,  Government  had  approved  two  projects  titled 'Development  of  eco-friendly  recyclable/bio-degradable  value  added  technical  textiles  from banana yarns (completed in 2013) and 'Development of banana fabric suitable for extreme cold weather by plasma Technology' (completed in 2015) to Manmade Textile Research Association (MANTRA), Surat.  Two projects i.e. one for Development of products from Himalayan Indian Nettle at a total cost of Rs. 67.48 lakhs and another for Development of value added products from  different  fibres  in  Himalayan  Region  at  a  total  cost  of  Rs.  422.32  lakhs  are  under implementation.

Further,  In  order  to  reduce  the  cost  of  production  and  increase  the  quality  of  silk,  the Government is supporting establishment of large number of Automatic and Multi-End Reeling Units  to  have  a  better  forward  linkage  and  for  production  of  quality  raw  silk  substituting  the imported raw silk. Concerted efforts are made to promote and establish 'Indian Silk' as a brand in  the  global  market  through  generic  promotion  &  also  to  promote  Indian  Silk  as  a  cultural heritage of India.

(d): With  a  view  to  sensitize  common  people  on  usage  of  natural  fibres,  Government  is implementing various schemes in Cotton, Jute and Silk Sector for promoting awareness about natural fibres by conducting/organizing a variety of programmes viz., Road Shows, Awareness programmes,  organizing  Exhibition,  participating  in  fairs  and  Expos  for  popularizing  natural fibres  and  conducting  Authorized  Users/sales  persons  training.  These  programmes  aim  at educating the common people about increased use of Natural Fibres. During the last three years a sum of Rs. 110 lakhs has been spent by the Institution under Central Silk Board for this purpose. Similarly, a sum of Rs. 2199.81 lakhs has been spent by National Jute Board for promoting the usage of the natural fibres during the last three years.

## Annexure

## Consumption of natural and man-made fibres during the last three years.

| Sr No                                                            | Fibre                                                            | 2014-15      | 2015-16      | 2016-17      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
|                                                                  |                                                                  | (in Mn. Kg.) | (in Mn. Kg.) | (in Mn. Kg.) |
| 1                                                                | Cotton                                                           | 5089.19      | 5132.13      | 4976.77      |
| 2                                                                | Silk                                                             | 32.19        | 31.98        | 34.11        |
| 3                                                                | Wool                                                             | 144.59       | 141.39       | 131.09       |
| Natural Fibres Total (Cotton, Silk, Wool)                        | Natural Fibres Total (Cotton, Silk, Wool)                        | 5265.97      | 5305.5       | 5141.97      |
| 4                                                                | Man-made fibre                                                   |              |              |              |
| 4.a)                                                             | Viscose                                                          | 257.57       | 223.52       | 244.16       |
| 4.b)                                                             | Polyester                                                        | 781.67       | 806.06       | 780.48       |
| 4.c)                                                             | Acrylic                                                          | 100.86       | 112.5        | 98.47        |
| 5                                                                | Man-made filament yarn                                           |              |              |              |
| 5.a)                                                             | Viscose                                                          | 53.15        | 51.11        | 47.01        |
| 5.b)                                                             | Nylon                                                            | 33.48        | 37.73        | 43.1         |
| 5.c)                                                             | Polyester                                                        | 715.42       | 575.2        | 459.75       |
| 5.d)                                                             | Polypropylene                                                    | 11.2         | 10.53        | 9.92         |
| Man-made Fibre/filament Yarn Total                               | Man-made Fibre/filament Yarn Total                               | 1953.35      | 1816.65      | 1682.89      |
| %of natural fibres to the total fibres used majorly in textiles. | %of natural fibres to the total fibres used majorly in textiles. | 72.94        | 74.49        | 75.34        |

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