Approach:
- Introduction on the state of jute industry.
- Mention the factors responsible for localisation.
- Elaborate the challenges faced.
- Conclusion
The Jute Industry in West Bengal is in a state of disarray. The area under jute cultivation has been falling and so is the price of jute. Several mills are on the verge of closure, putting the livelihood of thousands of people dependent on them in jeopardy. Jute is the 2nd important fibre crop in India. The Jute Industry in India is 150 years old. According to the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA), there are about 93 jute mills in India, of which 70 are in West Bengal.
Factors for localisation of jute industry in West Bengal:
- Raw material: West Bengal is the largest producer of jute and most mills are located there.
- Water supply: High rainfall and presence of rivers ensure abundant water for processing raw jute fibres.
- Easy Transportation: The region is well connected by a good network of railways, waterways, and roadways to facilitate the movement of raw materials to the mills. Inexpensive water transport is also provided by the Hugli river.
- Labour: Availability of cheap labour from West Bengal and the adjoining States of Bihar, Orissa, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Kolkata as a port and large urban centre, provides banking, insurance, and port facilities for the export of jute products.
Challenges inflicting the industry:
- India lags behind Bangladesh in producing superior quality jute fibre. Bangladesh accounts for 75% of global jute exports while India’s share is only 7%. Even India imports jute products like yarn, floor coverings and jute hessian from Bangladesh.
- India is not self-sufficient in the supply of raw material. To meet the growing need of the industry, raw material is imported from Bangladesh, Brazil, and Philippines.
- Intensified cyclonic activity in the region as a result of climate change has impacted production of jute e.g., In May 2020, Cyclone Amphan caused considerable damage to the crop. A report by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) said that a lower quality of jute fibre was produced in 2020-21 due to the cyclone. Farmers had to harvest the crop prematurely due to water-logging.
- Jute products costs higher than synthetic fibers and packing materials, particularly nylon and thus losing its market.
- The mills procure raw jute at higher prices than their selling price. Mills do not acquire their raw material directly from the farmers, but instead through intermediaries due to cumbersome procurement process. The middlemen charge mills for their services which involve procuring jute from farmers, grading, bailing and then bringing the bales to the mills.
- The government has a fixed Minimum Support Price(MSP) for raw jute procurement from farmers which is 4,750 per quintal for the 2022-23 season. However, jute reaches mills at Rs. 7,200 per quintal.
- The recent crisis began with the notification which capped the price of raw jute at Rs. 6,500 per quintal. However, mills are procuring material at INR 7,200; So, a mill owner estimates 12 Lakh loss per day forcing him to shut down his mill.
- 10 mills have already closed down, and more mills are feared to follow suit.
- Another issue is the non-implementation of the Tariff Commission’s report for fair price of Twill jute bags (bought by the Government). The Commission submitted report in March 2021 but it has not been implemented. This has led to a loss of Rs.1,500 crore to the industry, according to mill owners.
- The losses have hampered to ability of mill owners to invest in new machines / technology or undertake innovation to diversify the products.
Bio-degradable, eco-friendly jute products have a very big international market. But there is an urgent need for the domestic jute market to diversify. The need of the hour is to upgrade and adopt new technology, new manufacturing standards and evolve with time. The Government must support the jute industry and enhance its competitiveness through appropriate policy interventions.