The Jute industry in India is going through turbulent times and is looking for long term solutions from the industry leaders.The jute sector in India occupies an important place in our economy as it provides direct employment to about lakhs of workers and supports the livelihood of around 4 million families.
As per the last statistics available, jute exports are to the tune of nearly 1000 crore INR. So far, the government support has remained perennial, as the Jute Sector has usually been included for special attention in its policy framework.
The jute industry has usually been on a roller-coaster ride and its growth seems uncontrolled and unregulated which often reverses the good steps taken. To shed some light on the woes of the jute manufacturers, lets begin with Bengal where in the jute mills are losing Rs 900-1000 per tonne on jute bags owing to a faulty calculation made by the Jute Commissioner's office. The mill owners have claimed that between July 2009 and August 2010, the industry has lost around Rs 42 crore.
As per the news report, the mill owners are being forced to buy low grade jute at high price and sell the manufactured jute bags to the government at low prices.
It is worth noting that 35-40 per cent of the total jute bags produced in the country is purchased by the government through different procurement agencies.The Food Ministry has so far refrained from taking any decisive stand saying that that the issue is solely under the domain of the Jute Commissioner (JC), considered to be the custodian of jute industry.
In another setback to the jute industry, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has turned down a proposal made by the Union Ministry of Textiles (MOT) to restrict about 450 odd sugar mills across the country from packing sugar in plastic bags replacing jute bags .
This is despite the recent decision of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which had ruled out any dilution in the Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPMA) of 1987 that makes it mandatory for packaging of 100 per cent of food grains and sugar produced in India in jute bags.
Understandably, the jute manufactures are in deep anguish and intend to take the legal course as their sources of demand are diminishing with each passing day.
However, all is not lost for the jute exporters and suppliers as the centre is expected to finalise the much awaited ‘National Fibre Policy’ by the end of this year. That will remove the disparity in taxation and pricing of various fibres in the country.
Industry insiders say that, the proposed policy is expected to iron out the disparities in taxation structure and pricing with a comprehensive policy on exports and will help the Indian textile industry (including the jute industry) to recover its share in the global arena.
As one of the jute bags exporter sums up the whole scenario by saying that - “a lot has been said and a lot of assurances have been given, now its the time to see what exactly are they able to deliver and how soon...”
It certainly seems like a testing time, not just for the jute manufactures but also for our policy makers.
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Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit urged people to use jute bags while launching the 'Sheel Shera' project aimed at discouraging the use of plastic. The chief minister further stressed upon the need to use environment-friendly bags apart from bringing awareness on environmental issues.
Another initiative which is doing the rounds is from SULABH INTERNATIONAL, a well known civil society organisation . They too have launched a campaign to popularise biodegradable carry bags made of jute and paper in Jaipur. Sulabh's initiative has been very warmly received by the residents of Jaipur.
Globally too, the green activists are strongly pushing the use the jute bags specially in EU countries, where the use of single-use plastic shopping bags is now on decline. Eco-friendly, reusable bags are often made from jute cloth, also known as burlap in USA and other countries. At the corporate level, reusable bags are used as a fashion statement and symbolises their concern for the environment.
Jute bags exporters are certainly elated by such campaigns as it gives a push to their sales figures and they don't mind doing their bit by spreading awareness among the buyers. Experts say that jute is a very viable alternative to plastics etc. as it is long, soft, strong, heat resistant and can be spun into one of the most versatile natural fabrics.
In addition to above benefits the use of jute products also gives rise to jute cultivation which in turn play a vital role in increasing the fertility of the soil. By rotating with other crops such as rice and potatoes, jute acts as a barrier to pest and diseases and also provides a substantial amount of nutrients to other crops in the form of organic matter.
Jute bags suppliers further make their case stronger by stating that wholesale jute bags are not only strong and long lasting, they are also ideal to carry such items because the top of the bags have a very strong handle to distribute the weight evenly. Needless to say, these facts hardly leave any room for doubt that jute bags are sustainable and eco-friendly products and therefore, are ideal for green consumers who understand the critical state of our nature.
PS: If you are a jute bags exporter, get your online catalogue today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated on the web 24/7. To know more click on jute bags exporters
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