ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata Organises R&D Dissemination Seminar and NAFM Awareness Session

7 August 2026, Kolkata

ICAR–National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata, organised a Dissemination Seminar on Research & Development (R&D) Projects implemented under the Jute Product Diversification Scheme (JPDS) and an Awareness Session on the New Age Fibre Mission (NAFM) of the National Jute Board (NJB), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, today in Kolkata.

The programme aimed to disseminate the outcomes of R&D projects undertaken under JPDS and create awareness among stakeholders about the potential, applications and future prospects of new age fibres for sustainable development, livelihood generation and diversification of the natural fibre sector.

In his Presidential Address, the Chief Guest, Shri Sanjay Kumar Panigrahi, Managing Director, JCI expressed his gratitude to the farming community and reiterated the commitment towards supporting farmers in their efforts to contribute to the development of the country. He assured that the Jute Corporation of India (JCI) would extend all possible support and opportunities to farmers adopting new age fibres.

The Guest of Honour, Dr D.B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata, called upon the farming community to adopt modern technologies and explore diversified applications of new age fibres for enhancing productivity, value addition, sustainable development and livelihood opportunities. He also encouraged the youth to consider modern agriculture and allied sectors as promising career avenues. He emphasised that the Indian agriculture and allied sector offers immense opportunities and has a bright future, particularly with the integration of technology, innovation and diversification.

The Guest of Honour, Swami Kaleshananda, enlightened the participants on the emerging trends in Indian agriculture and the evolving practices of the farming community. He also highlighted the opportunities as well as the challenges associated with the adoption of new age fibres as an important agricultural crop and encouraged stakeholders to assess their potential from the perspectives of sustainability and livelihood generation.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Mahadeb Dutta, Joint Director, National Jute Board, highlighted the significance of the New Age Fibre Mission (NAFM) and elaborated on its role in promoting new age fibres, technological advancement, diversification and their potential impact on the future of the fibre and textile sector.

An important outcome of the programme was the expression of mutual interest by ‘Sasya Shyamala’ Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, and ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata, towards entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative research, extension activities and commercialization of sustainable textile products based on new age fibres. The proposed collaboration is expected to facilitate knowledge sharing, technology dissemination, field-level interventions and promotion of innovative natural fibre-based products.

A technical session was also organised as part of the programme, wherein scientists and experts from ICAR-NINFET, National Jute Board (NJB), Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association (IJIRA), and IIT Guwahati delivered technical presentations on various innovative technologies, research developments and applications related to new age fibres. The session provided valuable insights into emerging technologies, value addition, product diversification and the potential of new age fibres, while facilitating knowledge sharing and interaction among researchers, industry representatives and other stakeholders.

The programme witnessed participation of around 50 stakeholders, including representatives from industries, scientists, researchers and administrative officials. The deliberations provided an important platform for interaction among researchers, industry representatives, farmers and other stakeholders, with emphasis on strengthening collaboration and accelerating the adoption and commercialization of innovative technologies in the natural fibre sector.

The seminar concluded with a shared commitment towards promoting sustainable natural fibres, strengthening farmer-industry-research linkages, encouraging youth participation and advancing innovative fibre-based technologies for sustainable development and livelihood generation.

(Source: ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata)