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The National Jute Board is planning to have 20 clusters of jute diversified products (JDP) in Andhra Pradesh as a part of its campaign to promote the use of jute products.
This was stated here on Thursday by Mr B. Narsimulu, Market Promotion Officer of the NJB (Hyderabad), after a five-day jute expo (from March 3-8) was inaugurated by the Commissioner of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), Mr V.N. Vishnu.
Mr Narsimulu said there were currently two JDP clusters — one for East Godavari and West Godavari and the second for Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts. “We want to have at least 20 such clusters in the State. We will provide the necessary support, training and financial assistance for the small entrepreneurs setting up units,” he said. In all there were 143 small and cottage jute units in the State apart from eight major composite jute mills and 20 twine mills. Jute (mesta) was being grown in the north-coastal districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.
He said there was a jute service centre in Vizianagaram assisting the entrepreneurs in design development and other aspects. “We have three more such service centre, apart from Vizianagaram, in the State. Besides, we are planning to provide seed subsidy from the year to mesta (jute) growers from this year in the north-coastal districts. There is a jute research centre at Amadalavalasa in Srikakulam district providing seed to farmers and we are in touch with the centre for the purpose,” he said.
Capital subsidy
Currently, he said, the NJB was providing 20 per cent capital subsidy for those setting up small-scale jute units, training and marketing support. “We also want jute exports from the State. There are at present no exports from the State. We will give incentives to exporters,” he said.
Mr Narsimulu said the NJB was seeking the co-operation of all civic bodies in the State in banning and eliminating plastic bags. “Jute carry bags are slightly more expensive than plastic ones, due to the higher raw material cost, but they should be encouraged in view of the perils of plastic waste. On our part, we are trying to bring down the costs of jute bags by supplying jute to manufacturers in towns at mill gate prices. We have built up a raw material bank for the purpose,” he said.
Mr Vishnu, GVMC Commissioner, responded positively to the plea and said the corporation would do everything possible to the eco-friendly jute bags. He also offered assistance to small jute manufacturers.
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