Crop diversification for profitability in jute and allied fibre crops

Abstract

Jute ( Hibiscus cannabinus L. & H. sabdariffa L.) and allied fibres (mesta, sunnhemp, ramie, sisal and flax) play an important role in Indian economy. Raw jute (jute and mesta) farming, industry and trade provide liveli- hood support to about 5 million people in India and is grown in an area of about 1.0 million ha. Despite a two- fold increase in the productivity of jute since independence, the area is stagnant for last two decades. The acre- age of other fibre crops like ramie and sisal has not increased substantially though ramie and sisal fibres are costlier than raw jute, sunnhemp and cotton. The increased cost of cultivation of jute and the fluctuating market price often affects the farmers. So to enhance the profitability of jute and allied fibre farming, we have to intro- duce high value crops as components of jute-based cropping systems besides extending their cultivation to non-traditional areas. Ramie has shown a good growth and yield at Nilgiri hills, Goa, Maharastra while sisal has a great potential in the dry areas like western Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand. Diversification and value addition to the end products is needed as there is wide scope in the global market and the part of the ad- ditional profit must reach the farmers to motivate them. Jute ( Corchorus capsularis L. & C. olitorius L.) is the main commercial crop of the eastern and north eastern India providing livelihood security to about 5.0 million people (4.0 m farmers, 0.25 m mill workers and 0.50 m people engaged in jute based ancillary sectors). It is grown in an area of little over 0.8 m ha, producing nearly 10 million bales (1 bale 180 kg.) of fibre, which is about 40% of the worlds' production. Mesta is grown in an area of 0.15 m ha with a production of 1.0 m bales. The major jute growing states are West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura while mesta is mostly cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, Orissa and Bihar. Sunnhemp ( Crotalar ia juncea L.) is cultivated mostly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharastra and Tamil Nadu.