ICAR-CRIJAF, KVK Organized Training on “Jute-based Diversified Handicraft Products”

With the growing awareness about a pollution-free environment, the world is shifting towards natural products for a clean and green environment. As jute is one of the potential alternatives for plastics and synthetics, the demand for jute bags and other diversified products is increasing day by day both in national and international markets.

In this context, ICAR-CRIJAF, KVK, Barrackpore North 24 Parganas organized a skill development programme for making jute bags and other household materials from jute fabrics for farm women from 13-20 June 2022. The skill development for jute bag making will economically empower the women and maximize the income of farm families. During the week-long session, training was imparted for making and designing shopping bags, ladies purses, tiffin bags, and other designer bags.

During the valedictory session of the training program on 20 June, 2022 an exhibition of different types of jute bags was made by the trainees. Prajakta L. Verma, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India graced the Valedictory programme as the Chief guest. She congratulated all the participants and encouraged the trainees to take up value addition in jute as entrepreneurial activity so that the off-farm income can be augmented.

She appreciated the initiatives taken by ICAR-CRIJAF and congratulated the institute for taking a way forward to train the farm women for making diversified products of Jute and urged the NJB to create a linkage with the market.

Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF briefed about the different activities of ICAR-CRIJAF and urged all the organizations to join hands for the development of the Jute and Allied fibre Sector. He also expressed that demand of jute-based diversified products will increase in domestic and international markets.  Dr. Kar also ensured that the institute will develop suitable projects under different Govt. programmes to give special emphasis to such activities.  He also expressed that the jute ICARE project has already made a mark in upscaling of varieties and technologies developed by ICAR-CRIJAF but it is very important to popularize more new varieties through this project as per the agro-climatic condition of the states.

A presentation on the Research and technological achievement of ICAR-CRIJAF and the jute ICARE project was given. The trainees expressed that the training was very much useful for them which has developed confidence in designing and making different types of designer jute bags.  The dignitaries distributed Certificate of Participation to all the trainees in the valedictory session.

Kishan Singh, Joint Director, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Mr. Mahadev Dutta, Deputy Director, NJB, all the Head of the Divisions and In-charges of ICAR-CRIJAF and ICAR-CRIJAF KVK officials, Master Trainer and 15 trainees were present in the programme.

The dignitaries also visited the exhibition hall, jute museum, in-situ jute retting pond based Farming System model and jute retting complex. The products developed by the trainees was also displayed and appreciated by the Chief Guest.