Jute Cultivation and Processing Murshidabad West Bengal

Jute (Corchorus olitorius) is the golden fibre of Bengal, and West Bengal accounts for over 50 percent of India's jute production with Murshidabad, Nadia, and Cooch Behar districts as primary growing centers. Jute cultivation requires waterlogged alluvial soil of the Ganga delta and monsoon humidity for optimal bast fibre development. Farmers sow in March-April, harvest at early-flowering stage in July-August, then ret the stalks in ponds or slow rivers for 15-20 days to soften the bast fibre for extraction. Retting is followed by stripping, washing, and drying. West Bengal jute mills in Howrah and North 24 Parganas process raw jute into hessian, sacking, and carpet backing fabric. The Jute Corporation of India provides minimum support price procurement. Eco-friendly jute bags are being promoted nationally as plastic replacements, creating new market demand.