Question

Describe the methods of cultivation and processing of jute in India.

Answer 1

Jute is one of the most important natural fibres cultivated in India. The process of cultivation and processing involves following steps.

Cultivation:

• Farmers prepare soil and scatter the seeds.
  
• After plants grow 15-20 cm tall the harvesting begins. Usually harvesting begins after the flowering and before flower changes to seed.
  
• The stalks are cut off close to ground. Stalks are tied into bundles and soaked in water for 20 days.
  
• This process breaks bond between pectin bonds and permits fibre to be separated.
  

Retting

• It is the process of separating fibres from stem. It is of different types like mechanical retting done by hammering, chemical retting where chemicals are used for separation, steam or vapour or dew retting, water and microbial retting.
  
• After this fibres are washed, dried and tied into bundles for marketing.