A four-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Kohima on Friday to promote large-scale jute and new-age natural fibre cultivation in Nagaland, officials said.
According to a report by PTI, the MoU was signed between the National Jute Board (NJB), the Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (ICAR-CRIJAF), and the Nagaland Agriculture department. The agreement, valid for five years from 2025-26 to 2030-31, seeks to expand jute farming across the state, improve agronomy practices, and introduce fibres such as flax, ramie, and sisal on a pilot basis.
The signing was chaired by Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Nagaland, Wezope Kenye, in the presence of Director Sanuzo Nienu, Joint Secretary Union Ministry of Textiles Padmini Singha, NJB Head (Technical) Mahadeb Datta, JCI Director (Finance) Kaushik Rakshit and others at the Secretariat.
According to officials, the initiative aims to provide farmers with alternative cash crops, higher incomes, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. They highlighted that jute, being biodegradable, renewable, and eco-friendly, holds immense potential as a substitute for plastics and timber.
India is the world’s largest producer of jute and jute goods, but diversification remains limited, with production still heavily tied to government-supported supply of sacks. The MoU is expected to boost value-added fibre production and create new industrial applications in Nagaland.
Under the collaboration, the state Agriculture department will identify suitable land and farmers while extending support through existing schemes. NJB will provide technical, financial, and promotional support under the Jute ICARE and New Age Fibre Mission, ICAR-CRIJAF will extend R&D support, and JCI will ensure procurement and price support mechanisms.
Briefing the media after the event, Shahshi Bhushan Singh, Secretary & CEO of NJB, said the initiative marks a significant step towards making Nagaland a jute-growing hub.
“Through this MoU, we are trying to start jute cultivation in Nagaland in a very big way. Jute is a cash crop, and with proper market linkages, it will definitely generate additional remuneration for the farmers. We will provide seeds initially free of cost, machinery support, and training. Our target is to cover seven to eight districts by 2026,” Singh stated.
He added that the program will converge the Government of India’s ICARE scheme with the state’s National Food Security Mission (NFSM) to strengthen farmer support.
Viwheto Thorie, Joint Director of Agriculture and Mission Director of NFSM Nagaland, said jute cultivation is already underway in parts of the state and will now expand under the MoU.
“Currently, the program is being executed in seven districts – Peren, Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Niuland, Wokha, and parts of Mon and Mokokchung. It is one of the most promising crops, and with the intervention of NJB and JCI, both production and marketing will be properly channelized so that farmers get maximum benefit,” he said.
Nagaland has an estimated 3,000 hectares of land suitable for jute cultivation, of which 350 hectares are already under use. Thorie noted that JCI’s procurement support has significantly improved farmer earnings.
“Earlier, middlemen paid just Rs 25–30 per kg. But after JCI’s intervention with a minimum support price, farmers got Rs 41.50 in 2023, and this year the rate has risen to Rs 56.40 per kg. In some cases, middlemen are now offering up to Rs 60 per kg. This shows how the intervention has directly benefited our farmers,” Thorie added.
Officials said training and awareness programs will begin in November ahead of the February sowing season. Jute, typically a 120-day crop, will be cultivated from March to July across the targeted districts.
(With PTI inputs)