A four-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Kohima on Friday (September 26, 2025) to promote jute and new-age natural fibre cultivation in Nagaland, an official said.
The MoU was signed by the National Jute Board (NJB), the Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (ICAR-CRIJAF), and Agriculture department of Nagaland government.
The MoU signing was chaired by Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Nagaland, Wezope Kenye, in the presence of Director Sanuzo Nienu, Joint Secretary Union Ministry of Textile Padmini Singha, NJB Head (Technical) Mahadeb Datta, JCI Director (Finance) Kaushik Rakshit and others at the secretariat here.
The MoU, valid for five years from 2025-26 to 2030-31, aims to expand jute farming across Nagaland, improve agronomy practices, and introduce fibres such as flax, ramie, and sisal on a pilot scale.
The agreement seeks to provide farmers with alternative cash crops, higher incomes, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, officials noted that jute, being biodegradable, renewable, and eco-friendly, has immense potential as a substitute for plastics and timber.
India, the world’s largest producer of jute and jute goods, continues to rely heavily on government-supported supply of sacks, leaving diversification underexplored.
The MoU is expected to open new industrial applications and support value-added fibre production in the State.
Published – September 26, 2025 10:32 pm IST