Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Barrackpore- 700 120, Kolkata, West Bengal www.crijaf.org.in
Historical Perspectives:
In view of the growing importance of jute crop in the national economy,
in general, and eastern India in particular, the Indian Central Jute
Committee was established during 1936. The objective was to conduct investigations
on jute cultivation, marketing and building up establishments to conduct research
on Jute Agriculture including technology and economics. Subsequently Jute
Agricultural Research Laboratory (JARL) was established at Dhaka in 1939.
During partition of the country JARL went to the share of Pakistan.
Scientists who opted to come over to India continued their research
activities at Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, Hooghly of West Bengal
from 1948-52. Finally, the present institute came into existence under the
name of Jute Agricultural Research Institute at its present location during 1953.
The Indian Central
Jute Committee was taken over by ICAR on 1st April, 1966.
The erstwhile Jute Agricultural Research Institute was renamed
as Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibers
(CRIJAF) in January 1990. Between late fifties to early sixties,
three research stations were established for conducting research
on Ramie, Sisal and Sun hemp in the areas where these crops
grow. These research stations were put under the administrative
control of CRIJAF. A Central Seed Research Station on Jute
and Allied Fibres was established at BudBud in Burdwandistrict
of West Bengal to ensure supply of quality seeds.
For testing of proven
technology over various agro-climatic zones, All India Coordinate
Research Project on Jute and Allied Fibres was launched during
1969 - 70 with its head quarter initially at Jute Technological
Research Laboratory (now National Institute for Research on
Jute and Allied Fibres Technology), Kolkata and later on at
CRIJAF. Nine jute and mesta research stations based either
at ICAR Institutes or at State Agricultural Universities are
collaborating with All India Coordinated Research Project
on Jute and Allied Fibres at present.
Activities:
Improvement
of jute (C.capsularis and C.olitorius) and allied fibre
crops like mesta (H.cannabinus and H.sabdariffa), sunnhemp
(Crotalaria juncea), ramie (Boehmeria nivea), sisal (Agave
sisalana) and flax (Linum usitatissimum) for yield and quality.
Improvement of
jute and allied fibre crops for biotic and abiotic stresses.
Development of
economically viable and sustainable production technology
and cropping systems with jute and allied fibre crops.
Development of
proper post-harvest technology for improving the quality
of fibres.
Transfer of technology
and human resource development in relation to jute and allied
fibre crops.
