Question : Production of Natural Fibres

(a) whether the Government has noted that, natural fibres are facing stiff competition and challenge from synthetic fibres like polyester and acrylic;

(b) if so, the details of the steps being taken by the Government to enhance the productivity of natural fibres, especially cotton;

(c) whether the Government is planning to implement innovative technologies to reduce the cost of production of natural fibres and if so, details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government is organising outreach programmes to sensitize people on the usage of ecofriendly natural fibres and if so, the details of the funds allocated and utilized thereunder during each of the last three years?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. The consumption of natural fibres has increased from 72.94% in 2014-15 to 75.34% in 2016-17 vis-à-vis total fibres used majorly in textiles. The data on estimated domestic consumption of natural and man-made fibres during the last three years is at Annexure.

(c): Research and Development in natural fibres such as Banana, Himalayan nettle, Bamboo and hemp are supported under “Scheme for research and Development for the Textile Industry” by providing financial support to reputed research agencies including Textile Research Associations (TRAs), Universities, Industry Associations, Government approved research centers such as IITs/ Government aided Institutions/recognized engineering colleges/institutions approved by DST/DSIR, etc.

For development of Banana Fibre, Government had approved two projects titled “Development of eco-friendly recyclable/bio-degradable value added technical textiles from banana yarns (completed in 2013) and “Development of banana fabric suitable for extreme cold weather by plasma Technology” (completed in 2015) to Manmade Textile Research Association (MANTRA), Surat. Two projects i.e. one for Development of products from Himalayan Indian Nettle at a total cost of Rs. 67.48 lakhs and another for Development of value added products from different fibres in Himalayan Region at a total cost of Rs. 422.32 lakhs are under implementation.

Further, In order to reduce the cost of production and increase the quality of silk, the Government is supporting establishment of large number of Automatic and Multi-End Reeling Units to have a better forward linkage and for production of quality raw silk substituting the imported raw silk. Concerted efforts are made to promote and establish “Indian Silk” as a brand in the global market through generic promotion & also to promote Indian Silk as a cultural heritage of India.

(d): With a view to sensitize common people on usage of natural fibres, Government is implementing various schemes in Cotton, Jute and Silk Sector for promoting awareness about natural fibres by conducting/organizing a variety of programmes viz., Road Shows, Awareness programmes, organizing Exhibition, participating in fairs and Expos for popularizing natural fibres and conducting Authorized Users/sales persons training. These programmes aim at educating the common people about increased use of Natural Fibres. During the last three years a sum of Rs. 110 lakhs has been spent by the Institution under Central Silk Board for this purpose. Similarly, a sum of Rs. 2199.81 lakhs has been spent by National Jute Board for promoting the usage of the natural fibres during the last three years.