Shri Giriraj Singh Visits ICAR–CRIJAF, Barrackpore

8 February 2026, Barrackpore

Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, visited the research fields of the ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore, today and reviewed ongoing experiments on flax, ramie, roselle and sisal.

During the visit, the Minister highlighted that a substantial quantity of linen fibre is currently imported from European countries. He noted that the availability of new high-yielding flax varieties and advanced production technologies developed by ICAR–CRIJAF offers significant potential for large-scale, profitable cultivation of high-quality flax fibre, which would be both economically viable and environmentally sustainable for farmers.

Shri Singh emphasized that promoting new-age fibres such as flax, ramie and sisal would not only lead to import substitution in the textile sector but also enhance farmers’ income. He further observed that these fibres have immense potential to transform the textile fibre landscape by diversifying raw material sources for the industry, particularly within jute-based and other cropping systems across the country.

The Minister was apprised of various research initiatives, including evaluation of new flax varieties, flax-based intercropping and cropping systems, innovative planting and propagation methods of ramie, sisal intercropping models, and calyx-producing roselle varieties.

A review meeting with industry representatives and researchers was also held at ICAR–CRIJAF, during which Dr Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR–CRIJAF, made a detailed presentation on the prospects of new-age fibres. Addressing the gathering, Shri Giriraj Singh shared the Government of India’s initiatives aimed at promoting new-age fibres and urged all stakeholders to focus on innovation so that these fibres emerge as important complementary natural textile fibres to cotton.

Reiterating the availability of rich germplasm resources in the country, the Hon’ble Minister underscored the need for advancements in fibre processing technologies and value addition through by-product utilization. He expressed confidence that with sustained research and industry collaboration, India can emerge as a global leader in new-age natural textile fibres.

(Source: ICAR - Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibers, Barrckpore)