Research on jute (Corchorus olitorius and C. capsularis) and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus and H. sabdariffa): present status and future perspective

Abstract

About 5 million people get employment in raw jute (jute and kenaf) farming, trading and industry though the crop occupies only 0.55% of the gross cropped area of the country. The productivity of jute had doubled from 1.10 tonnes/ha during 1947 to about 2.24 tonnes/ha in 2006–07 made possible through development of high-yielding varieties and improved production technologies though the acreage remains stagnated around 0.80 million ha. Significant improvement in fibre quality has been attained during this period. The changing climate coupled with variable soil conditions had often exposed the crop to more biotic and abiotic stresses which are affecting the yield and fibre quality and is also creating considerable regional disparity in yield level of the crop. Stiff competition from low-cost synthetic fibres is compelling us towards product diversification and value-addition for which improvement in quality attributes is of paramount importance. This review, attempts to summarize the achievements made in jute and kenaf research and also strive to highlight the constraints faced by the raw jute sector along with its possible mitigation options.