In a significant step towards promoting eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture, the Government of Nagaland on Friday signed a four-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand jute and natural fibre cultivation across the state. The agreement brings together the National Jute Board (NJB), Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (ICAR-CRIJAF), and Nagaland’s Agriculture Department. The MoU, effective from 2025–26 to 2030–31, is designed to make Nagaland a hub for jute and allied fibres such as flax, ramie, and sisal. Officials said the project will not only promote sustainable alternatives to plastics and timber but also provide farmers with profitable cash crops and stable market linkages.
“This initiative is not about cost but about farmer support. Seeds, machinery, and training will be provided, with the aim of covering 7–8 districts by 2026,” said Shahshi Bhushan Singh, Secretary & CEO of the NJB. He expressed confidence that with proper procurement and marketing, jute would become one of the state’s major cash crops. Nagaland currently has around 3,000 hectares of land suitable for jute cultivation, with nearly 350 hectares already under production. Districts including Peren, Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Niuland, Wokha, and parts of Mon and Mokokchung have taken the lead. Farmers are expected to begin fresh sowing by February 2026 after training and awareness campaigns commence this November.
The Jute Corporation of India has also provided strong procurement support, ensuring that farmers receive fair prices. While earlier they were dependent on middlemen who paid only ₹25–30 per kg, prices climbed to ₹56.40 per kg in 2024, giving cultivators direct benefits and boosting their confidence in the crop.
