(a) whether it is a fact that Assam is one of the highest producer of jute production and there has been record production of jute in the State;
(b) if so, the details thereof for each of the last three years and current year;
(c) whether there is any mechanism to ensure that jute farmers get the maximum prices of their crops particularly in case of surplus jute production; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken to use surplus production?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) & (b): Assam is the third largest producer of raw jute in the country following West Bengal and Bihar. The production of raw jute in Assam during the last three years and the current year is as follows:-
Year Production
(in ‘000 bales of 180 kg per bale)
2012-13 823
2013-14 746
2014-15 795
2015-16 767
(c) & (d): Jute Corporation of India (JCI), a Central Public Sector Undertaking, operates the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for jute to protect the interests of jute growers through procurement of raw jute in the jute growing States including Assam. At present, JCI is operating at 171 Departmental Purchase Centres and Cooperatives operate at about 40 centres. JCI in turn purchases the jute procured by these Cooperatives.
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