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Jute, the 'Golden
Fiber' as it is called, is a
plant that yields a fiber used for
sacking and cordage. Known as the
raw material for sacks the world
over, jute is truly one of the most
versatile fibers gifted to man by
nature that finds various uses in
the form of Handicrafts. Next to
cotton, jute is the cheapest and
most important of all textile
fibers.
Jute is the cheapest lignocellulosic,
long vegetable bast fibre available
annually in the world. Jute
cultivation provides work for
millions of farmers, landless
laborers, industrial workers and
provides jobs for many others,
indirectly.
The Versatile Option
Rapid expansion of jute into a wide
range of life style consumer
products has been made possible due
to the versatility of Jute. Spinning
of high quality yarns and weaving of
light-weight fine-textured fabrics
of uniform structure in exotic
colors and designs are made in both
jute factories and hand loom
sectors. With vastly improved
bleaching, dyeing and finishing
processes and by blending jute with
other natural or synthetic fibers,
the finished jute products now
ensure feel, luster, abrasion
resistance and aesthetic appeal.
Jute Handicrafts
The traditional excellence of Indian
craftsmen & artisans is reflected in
a wide range of jute handicrafts of
utility, decoration and novelty. A
beautiful mosaic of Jute handicrafts
that comprises of carpets & floor
coverings, wall coverings & window
dressings, table mats & table-wares,
swings, hammocks, office bags, table
covers, table mats, pen and pencil
stand, wall hangings & room decor,
bedspreads & bedroom slippers,
blankets & shawls, skirts & jackets,
shopping & travel bags and a host of
other home textile made ups.
The jute handicrafts of Madhya
Pradesh are a unique blend of
aesthetic sense and utility.
Craftsmen at Hasta Shilp Vikas Nigam
have experimented with the fiber.
Every artifact emanates a unique
charm exclusive to it and the goods
so produced are marketed through the
MP state emporium, "Mriganayani".
Bhopal, Raipur, Indore and Gwalior
are major centers for producing jute
handicrafts.
CHANGING SCENARIO
Today, jute can be defined as an
eco-friendly natural fiber with
versatile application prospects
ranging from low value geo-textiles
to high value carpet, apparel,
composites, decoratives, upholstery
furnishings, fancy non-wovens for
new products, decorative color
boards etc. Jute with its unique
versatility, rightfully deserves to
be branded as the "fiber for the
future".
In coming decades, a number of jute
mills and mini-jute plants will be
seen engaged in a big way in
production of jute and jute blended
yarns, specially of finer accounts,
through various routes of yarn
manufacturing. The uses of jute are
manifold although the traditional
use remains in packing as sacking,
hessian and carpet backing. These
light weight yarns are to be used in
value added textile applications
like upholstery, furnishing,
garments and bags etc are just a few
examples. |
