News: India’s jute and mesta production increased from 88.02 lakh bales (2024–25) to 94.03 lakh bales (2025–26)à India accounts for around 75% of global jute-goods production.

Why Important?

• India is the world’s largest producer of raw jute and a leading producer of jute goods.
• Biodegradable, recyclable, low-cost alternative to synthetic fibres.
• Supports ~40 lakh farm families and ~3.7 lakh workers in organised mills/diversified units.
• India accounts for ~75% of global jute-goods production.

Raw Jute

• Jute + Mesta are collectively classified as raw jute.
• Production: 88.02 lakh bales (2024–25) → 94.03 lakh bales (2025–26).

Major Producing States

• West Bengal → Bihar → Assam → Odisha → Jharkhand.
• Hot & humid climate; 700–1,500 mm rainfall.
• Mainly rainfed and cultivated by small/marginal farmers.
• Sowing: March–April; harvesting: 100–110 days.

Key Properties & Uses

• Strong, durable, breathable and moisture-absorbent.
• Used in packaging, textiles, agriculture, construction and technical textiles.
• Can be blended with natural/synthetic fibres.
• Jute leaves are also edible and nutritionally valuable.

Jute Geotextile (JGT)

Biodegradable technical textile used for:

→ Soil erosion & slope protection

→ Road/railway construction

→ Riverbank/canal protection

→ Drainage & soft-soil stabilisation

Supports sustainable infrastructure and ecological restoration.

Institutions

• Jute Corporation of India (JCI): Implements MSP policy, procures raw jute directly from farmers when prices fall below MSP → farmer protection.
• National Jute Board (NJB): Development, promotion, diversification, R&D, exports, productivity and market development.
• NJB HQ: Kolkata.

Recent Initiative

• Commonwealth Games 2026: Indian contingent wore jute-viscose blended apparel, promoting sustainable and biodegradable textiles.