Lok Sabha Question No. 2718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Shortage of Skilled Labour in Jute Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR IN JUTE INDUSTRY

## 2718. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  introduce  appropriate  policy  measures  to  address  shortage  of skilled labours in Jute Industry, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b)  whether area of jute  cultivation  has  declined,  if  so,  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  aims  to address the challenge of area decline, State/district-wise;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  of  ICARE  schemes  for  jute  cultivation, production and improvement in quality and if so, the details of the assessment reports;

(d) the number of Government owned and private jute mills along with the number of it that have been modernized and upgraded;

(e) the details of total utilization of money sanctioned for the modernization of mills; and

(f)  the  details  of  registered  farmers  and  total  number  of  training  centres  set  up  under  the  jute diversification programme?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा ) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): Government of India, through the National Jute Board (NJB), is implementing the Jute ResourceCum-Production  Centre  (JRCPC)  initiative  to  enhance  the  number  of  skilled  artisans  in  the  jute sector.  Under this initiative, NJB, in collaboration with nominated agencies, provides training at various levels  (Basic,  Advance  &  Design  Development)  focused  on  the  production  of  a  wide  range  of  Jute Diversified Products (JDPs).

(b): Raw  jute  cultivation  in  India  is  being  actively  strengthened  through  targeted  government interventions aimed at enhancing both quality and productivity.   Recognizing the challenges posed by factors such as crop diversification, variable rainfall, input-related constraints, and market fluctuations, the  Government  of  India  launched  the Jute-ICARE  (Improved  Cultivation  and  Advanced  Retting Exercise) programme. This initiative promotes sustainable and scientific farming practices by providing high-yielding variety (HYV) certified seeds, introducing retting accelerators, and encouraging modern agronomic techniques. Since its inception, the programme has seen significant growth, expanding from 130 blocks (covering 1,10,893 hectares) across 7  states  in  2020-21  to  289  blocks  (covering  2,15,246 hectares)  in  10  states  by  2024-25,  demonstrating  its  wide  acceptance  and  impact  in  boosting  jute cultivation across the country.

(c): An evaluation of the Jute-ICARE pilot project, conducted by the National Productivity Council, New Delhi during 2018-19, confirmed several positive outcomes that underscore the effectiveness of the initiative. The assessment revealed notable improvements, including enhanced quality of jute fibre, an 8.65% reduction in the overall cost of cultivation, and a significant decrease in the retting period from 20 days to just 13 days.  Further, the project led to increased adoption of certified jute seeds, a substantial rise in yield to 2,594.25 kg per hectare, and an overall 15% increase in farmers' income, highlighting the programme's impact on productivity and rural livelihoods.

(d) & (e): There  are  a  total  of  119  jute  mills  in  the  country.  Of  these,  6  mills  are  owned  by  the Government  of  India,  while  the  Governments  of  Tripura  and  Odisha  each  own  1  mill.  Further,  1 cooperative-sector  mill  operates  in  Assam,  and  the  remaining  111  mills  are  privately  owned.    To modernize  the  jute  industry,  NJB  implemented  the Incentive  Scheme  for  Acquisition  of  Plant  and Machinery (ISAPM) from 2014-15 to 2020-21. The scheme aimed to replace outdated machinery with modern, technologically advanced equipment. A total incentive amount of ₹71.76 crore was disbursed to 199 (jute mills and MSME JDP units) during the scheme period.

(f): Under  the  ongoing National  Jute  Development  Programme  (NJDP) ,  NJB  continued  the implementation of JRCPC from 2021-22 to 2024-25. During this period, 100 training programmes were organized  through  61  collaborating  agencies  across  12  states,  benefitting  2,242  jute  artisans  and members of Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs).

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