Jute Industry Revamp: Minister's Vision for Price Hike

Union Minister Giriraj Singh aims to increase jute bag prices from Rs 1,15,000 per tonne to Rs 2 lakh by introducing innovations and modernizing efforts. Coordinating with government, mills, and farmers, the initiatives are expected to boost sales, benefiting workers and farmers significantly.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh announced plans to raise the price of finished jute bags from Rs 1,15,000 per tonne to Rs 2 lakh, leveraging innovations and modernization in the industry.

Speaking to the press, Singh emphasized the importance of coordination among government, mills, and farmers to implement this change. A new pricing formula for jute bags intended for government procurement of food grains has been approved.

Singh highlighted that jute product sales are projected to exceed Rs 14,000 crore this year, showcasing the sector's growth. Nearly 4 lakh jute mill workers and 40 lakh farmer families, mainly in West Bengal, will benefit from this industry expansion. During a visit to ICAR-CRIJAF in Barrackpore, he reviewed the sector with industry representatives and discussed value addition and modernization to enhance this eco-friendly fiber. Singh also inaugurated a flax scutching machine and toured the biotechnology lab and CRIJAF fibre museum.

(With inputs from agencies.)