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Added as an article for 70th B'Day Volume of Professor Dr Kotcherlakota Lakshmi Narayana
Jute Agricultural Produce and a Home Technology
By Shri K. C. H. Venkata Rao,
Local Agriculture Officer, Saravakota, Srikakulum AP

Introduction:

The jute industry is facing stiff competition for rice cultivation. The agricultural sowing and production of Jute wood, is getting lost the interest among the farmers. The main reason of such collapse of traditional agricultural production and crops is that the government or private, public agencies are not supporting the farmer, with the technology and industry back up. Mahatma Gandhi realized this problem long ago and suggested the need of home and village industry support, by technology and scientific machinery. Japan, Taiwan and South Korea have become industrially competitive in Global market, because their government supports ,the home and village industry, with utmost care and attention, while India has no awareness, of what is the need of a technology back up of Village Industry. They are, more interested in projection estimates, rather involving experts and the local talent, to muster the dire need of the farmers, to dispose their produce for the Industry.

JUTE CULTIVATION

The main verities are Surya, Kalinga, Durga and AMV -5 that can withstand the water stress, Enupa Tegullu, and Pest Creatures damages. Also these verities are claimed to withstand other Tegullu. Only 75acres are being used in Saravakota to grow the Jute. Since the rains brought plentiful of water most farmers are switching in the kharif season to grow rice instead of Jute.
Every acre of land requires about 5 kilograms of seeds. Every kilogram seed requires to be augmented by 3 grams of Mankojab, and 6mm liters of Chloriphiryphosph and use of it prevents Enupa Tegullu and juice sucking pest creatures. Every acre of land requires about 5 tons of animal fertilizer that would yield strength to sticks and more seedlings.

PROCESS:

After the Jute has ripened for cutting the jute produce, Jute sticks are made into small bundles. The bottoms of these bundles are to be kept submerged into two-to-three feet of water. They require five days of this exposure. Afterwards 12.5 grams urea per liter water should be applied on to the sticks and the entire bundle frames are to totally put in water with the help of heavy stones tied to them. For complete treatment at least three weeks time is required. The temperatures, content of hydrogen, nitrogen content, microbes’ presence in the water and jute sticks maturity are some important parameters of the process. The silk threads need to be separated from the soaked jute sticks are to be washed thoroughly and then are to be dried in Sun.

PRODUCTS:

The silk jute threads useful to prepare jute bags, carpets and paper plates. More effort by authorities is essential to support this significant industrially useful cultivation and make available at comparative rates the products for local consumption and utility in Andhra Pradesh.
Resource: Andhra Bhoomi News Paper Page 11, Dt.20th Nov 2010.
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EDITORIAL SUGGESTION:

On the spot farm course need to be introduced and the Agricultural University scientists just like the Medical Doctors should go to the villages farm lands and establish a link with the expensive University machinery. Government should legislate that at least three years of farm experience in a chosen field of activity by an Agriculture Scientist and expert is essential for confirmation of their services. The farmer should certify, the benefit he derived, from an expert and such evaluations, are to be counterchecked, by the Agriculture Squads. The video and photo evidence, as per the timetable, need to be submitted by the experts and scientists, to the concerned University or the Institution periodically, for review and assessment. Every industrially useful produce and cultivation should be supported by machinery on the spot on the farm land.