MD, JCI Visits ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata

22 April 2026, Kolkata

Shri Sanjay Kumar Panigrahi, newly appointed Managing Director of the Jute Corporation of India (JCI), Kolkata, visited the ICAR–National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata, today. During his maiden visit, he held an interactive session with the institute’s scientists.

Shri Panigrahi commended the efforts of the institute’s staff and extended his best wishes for their continued success. He emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between JCI and ICAR-NINFET to enhance the livelihoods of jute growers and promote a sustainable future for the jute sector.

Dr D. B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET, provided a comprehensive overview of the institute’s research and extension activities. He highlighted key technologies developed in collaboration with JCI, including accelerated retting through ICAR-NINFET Sathi, AI-enabled jute fibre grading, and Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) on ribbon retting. He also expressed gratitude to JCI for supporting the supply and installation of newly developed grading instruments across various jute procurement centers.

During the interaction, scientists shared their innovations aimed at benefiting stakeholders across the jute sector, including farmers, entrepreneurs, and jute mills.

Following the session, Shri Panigrahi toured various laboratories and facilities within the institute. He expressed appreciation for the advancements made, particularly in AI-based automatic fibre grading systems, noting their potential to significantly improve price realization for resource-poor jute farmers.

The visit included demonstrations of facilities across multiple divisions such as the extraction shed, genome editing, pulp and paper, biomass energy, building materials, non-woven plant, AI & Robotics lab, bag manufacturing unit, and SAIF lab.

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