Kolkata, 21 February (H.S.): Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ram Nath Thakur on Saturday reviewed the achievements, progress and future roadmap of the ICAR-NINFET during his visit to the institute in Kolkata.

During the review meeting, the minister assessed the impact of technological interventions, advanced production methods and value addition initiatives in the natural fibre sector. He sought details on the number of farmers who have benefited from the institute’s technologies, the extent of technology dissemination and the measurable increase in farmers’ income resulting from these efforts.

Thakur stated that farmer prosperity remains the highest priority of the Central government and emphasized that all institutions must work towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of economically empowered and self-reliant farmers. He directed the institute to prepare and submit a comprehensive report outlining steps taken to enhance farmers’ income, strengthen extension mechanisms and ensure wider dissemination of technologies.

The meeting also focused on the government’s “New Age Natural Fibres” initiative, which aims to promote alternative fibres such as sun hemp, ramie, sisal and banana fibre. A five-year research roadmap has been proposed to develop technologies for large-scale production, processing and utilization of these fibres and to make them accessible to farmers.

In line with the “One Team, One Mission” approach under the guidance of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, agricultural research institutions across the country are working in a coordinated manner. As part of this effort, the institute has prepared an integrated project on production, processing and value addition of new-age natural fibres to boost output, address grassroots challenges faced by farmers and strengthen processing and marketing chains.

The minister also reviewed the “Waste to Wealth” initiative, under which fibres are being extracted from banana pseudostems and other agricultural residues to create value-added products. The initiative is expected to provide farmers with additional income sources while promoting sustainable resource utilization.

Appreciating the efforts of the institute’s scientists, Thakur called for stronger industry collaboration, accelerated research and more effective outreach to ensure that innovations reach farmers at the grassroots level. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research were present at the meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh