Implementing the extant jute packaging act
In order for a thriving jute sector, it is crucial to implement the mandatory Jute Packaging Act of 2010. The government should have taken up this matter seriously, soon after the framing of laws in this regard in 2013. According to relevant statistics, for the proper implementation of the extant law on using jute for agricultural and non-agricultural use, the country would need about 85 crore jute bags and for making of these bags, the locally produced jute could be used. The same would then boost up the jute industry.
Besides the laxity in implementing the act, there is another very important reason for which jute bags could not become popular. The plastic bags that are used by the millers are rather cheap and attractive. Also, jute bags are less air tight than the plastic bags and humidity of air often affects the goods inside. Then the question that inevitably arises is : if plastic bags are cheap, durable and more effective in preserving goods, then why go for jute instead?
Apart from making the local jute industry viable, the environmental ground for it is no less insignificant. In these days of increasing global warming, we should be on war footing to stop any kind of environmental degradation. Jute is naturally biodegradable and there is no harm in its widest possible use on environmental considerations.
Now the government not only needs to implement the packaging act, it has also a responsibility to create mechanisms that would reduce the price differentials between jute and plastic bags. And for this the government has to ensure that farmers can produce jute with reduced production cost. Jute growers of the country do not get quality jute seeds, and often in time.
Farmers also do not get adequate water for jute retting in season and the C grade jute is greatly damaged due to scarcity of water. The government can effectively provide farmers with seeds of good varieties such as Lal Tosa O795, BJRI 98 97 in appropriate time in the jute growing season that is before the 25th of February as well as declaring jute prices earlier when produced jute is still in the farmers hand. On the other hand, the government can offer incentives to jute mills that produce jute bags and other goods in greater quantities.
