(a) the total area in West Bengal covered by cultivation of jute/mesta during the last three
years;
(b) the total amount of assistance provided by the Government during the above period for
research, input and development work for jute and mesta; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to provide adequate remunerative price to the
growers of jute/mesta?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a): The area under cultivation of jute and mesta in West Bengal during 1998-99, 1999-2000
and 2000-01 was 622.0 thousand hectares, 622.8 thousand hectares and 623.9 thousand
hectares respectively.
(b): To increase productivity and quality of fibre, a centrally sponsored scheme on Special
Jute Development Programme (SJDP) with 100% central assistance was in operation since
1987-88 in the jute/mesta growing states including West Bengal. From 4th October, 2000, the
scheme on SJDP has been subsumed under Macro Management Scheme, which gives States
the flexibility to implement programmes depending on the local requirements. The financial
assistance provided to West Bengal under SJDP during 1999-2000 and 2000-01 (upto 4th
October, 2001) was Rs.55.00 lakh and Rs.35.00 lakh respectively.
The amount of assistance provided to All India Coordinated Research Project on Jute &
Allied Fibres, Barrackpore and the Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibres,
Barrackpore during 1999-2000 to 2001-02 is given below:
(Rs. lalkh)
Project/Institute 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
All India Coordinated Research Project on Jute & Allied Fibres, Barrackpore 15.61 43.46 42.07 Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibres, Barrackpore 100.00 208.35 200.00