NSC to supply certified jute seeds to farmers in West Bengal: Smriti Irani

Kolkata, June 1 (KNN) India has the potential to become one of the largest jute exporters in the diversified section, said Smriti Irani, Union Textile Minister.

She made the above remarks at an interactive session with the members of Merchant’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kolkatta.

Stressing on the need to improve quality of raw material and seed for more diversification, Irani said “National Seed Corporation (NSC )will supply the certified seeds to the jute farmers in the state through different central and state government agencies.”

She said use of certified seeds will naturally improve the quality of crop and in turn will help the jute traders to go for enhanced diversification of jute products.

Pointing out that India is the largest jute producing country in the World; she said "we have the potential to become one of the largest jute exporters in the diversified section".

According to her, the diversification of jute products will help jute mill owners reduce their dependence on the government under the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory use in Packaging Commodities) Act, 1987, which mandates packing of 90 per cent of food grains and 20 per cent of sugar in jute bags.

She urged the state jute mill producers to stop relying on government JPM act and go for diversification.