KIB Organizations

Organization Details:

BANGLADESH JUTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (BJRI)

After the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 Jute Sector was taken up with special and realistic approach. The Bangladesh Govt. promulgated the Jute Act in 1974 and established Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) with specific mandate which was modified in 1996 with the following major functions.

• To promote agriculture, technological and economic research on jute and allied fibers and their manufactures and dissemination of results thereof.
• To organize production, testing and supply of improved pedigree of jute seeds and multiplication, procurement & their distribution to recognized organization, selected growers and such other agencies as may be approved by the Board.
• To set up research centers, sub-stations, pilot projects and farms in different regions of the country for carrying out research on different problems of jute and allied fiber crops, jute products and allied materials.
• To establish project areas for demonstration of new varieties of jute developed by the institute and to train the farmers for cultivation of these varieties of jute.
• To establish annual reports, monographs, bulletins, and other literatures relating to jute research and the activities of the institute.
• To organize training of officers and progressing farmers on modern improvement method of cultivation of jute and allied fiber crops and also to train technical hands for utilization of technological findings and
• To do and perofrm such other activities as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.

BACKGROUND

The Bangladesh Jute Research Institute is the oldest mono-crop research institute of the country. Jute Research was first started in Dhaka with the creation of a Fiber Expert’s position and assumption of the responsibility by Sir R.S. Finlow in 1904 under the Bengal Department of Agriculture (1904-1939). To intensify research on jute and allied fibers, Jute Agricultural Research Laboratory (JARL) was established by the Indian Central Jute Committee (ICJC) in Dhaka in 1939. During 1936-47 the effective infrastructure required for a board spectrum of Jute Research activities was established. After the partition of India in 1947, in the light of erstwhile ICJC. Pakistan Central Jute Committee (PCJC) in turn reorganized the existing JARL was Jute Research Institute (JRI) at the present site in 1951. Later on in 1963 jute technological/industrial research activities/industrial research activities were initiated in the present site as an independent body in the name of Jute Technological Research Board with the help of the then Pakistan Jute Mills Association. consequently it was amalgamated in the PCJC as agile organization as a separate project with the different budget provision including foreign currency allocation. Subsequently, Bangladesh Government promulgated the jute act in 1974 (modified in 1996) as establised Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI).

To perform the functions, the Institute has three main branches, namely.

1. Agriculture Research on Jute.

2.Technological Research on Jute, and

3. Marketing and Economic Research on Jute.

Objectives of Agriculture Research on Jute :

1. To develop improved varieties having desired level of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, variable photo periods and temperature with shorter field life to fit well in location specific cropping systems, to the need and requirement of marketable diversified products development;

2. To develop technologies for minimizing the cost of production of fiber.

3. To develop improved tossa varieties of jute with wider adaptability having high quality, finer and stronger fiber;

4. To breed short duration photo and thermo-insensitive varieties of kenaf and mesta for increased biomass and seed production to ensure maximum commercial exploitation of both the species.

5.  To generate location specific technologies for improved retting of jute, kenaf and mesta and transfer this knowledge to the farmers;

6.  To generate, improve and expand location specific technologies for seed production after monsoon;

7.  To consolidate and gear up efforts for maintenance breeding of existing improved varieties and ensure production and supply of adequate quantity of Breeder’s seeds to support the national seed programme.

Agriculture Wing

NEW VARIETIES

Objectives of Technological Research on Jute:

- To improve conventional jute products;

- To evolve new and diversified end-uses of jute for increasing export potential;

- To develop new and diversified jute products for maximizing domestic uses of jute for agricultural, industrial and infrastructural development sectors;     To provide technological support to jute and textile industries in updating their manufacturing process and in adopting technologies for new jute products;

- To provide information to the Agricultural Wing of the Jute Research Institute for breeding quality jute fiber to seed the jute industries by growing jute with/having desired textile properties;

- To improve, fabricate and develop equipment and machinery suitable for jute and jute based industries;

- To study the utilization of jute mill wastes and environmental impact of jute products along with health care of industrial works.

TECHNOLOGIES

Since establishment of the technological wing of BJRI in 1966 the scientists engaged in the diversified products development and improvement activities of jute have had a wide range of achievements, which include the production or development of:

• Jute Novotex Blanket
• Novotex fabrics
• Improved Dyeing and Printing of Jute Textiles
• Fine Tex Yarn
• Jute Felt and Jute Stuffed Quilts
• Softening of Jute cuttings
• Chemical Modification of Jute Fiber
• Development of Dyeing and Finishing of Jute and Jute Products
• Rot Proofing Technology for Jute and Jute Product
• Fire proofing Technology for Jute and Jute Products
• Development of Thermal Conductivity apparatus
• Designing of a Fault finding apparatus
• Improving the existing weaker yarn irregularity tester
• Production of an improved Geo-textiles
• Development of an improved nursery sheet
• Preparation of a low cost fuel
• Development of Jute based sanitary napkins as absorbent cotton substitutes
• Deodorized jute for tea bag
• Jute plastic for furniture partition walls
• Jute pulp for paper production
• Micro crystalic cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose for pharmaceuticals and other industrial uses
• Development of a mathematical relation between the tenacity of fiber and quality of yarn spin and mathematical relation ship between the variability or mass and strength of different counts of yarns
• Optimization of tuff square inch and pile height of the yarn in jute carpet for imparting maximum resilience in jute carpet.

JUTE AND TEXTILE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

The Jute and Textile Product Development Centre has started as a five year project, funded by the Government of Bangladesh. The main objectives of the project are:

1. To shift and replace the abandoned equipment/machinery of the defunct Jutton Project from the compound of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to the BJRI compound.

2. To produce fine yarn and cloth from jute in blend with cotton, rayon, silk, polyester, acrylic etc. by the application of technology evolved by the Jutton Project and to strengthen the research activities for this purpose.

3. To create entrepreneurship, transfer the innovated technology for the purpose of commercial production, and promote marketing of the new products.

4. To develop the jute-based textile technology through the exchange of expertise and knowledge with textile, jute and garment industries and to make an extension of the technologies to the level of handloom and cottage industries.

5. To improve the country-made machinery and technologies in order to make a viable commercial production of jute based fine yarns and fabrics and various commodities produced experimentally in the laboratory

CITIZEN’S CHARTER OF BANGLADESH JUTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (BJRI)

1.     Vision of Citizen’s Charter of BJRI:

Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) is committed to help the farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders or citizens of Bangladesh in delivering jute related technologies both jute fibre and jute products and related socio-economic information to reduce the poverty through the improvement of jute and allied fibre crops by agricultural and technological researches, a part of whole jute sector.

2.  Major Functions Performed by the Institute:

2.1.            To regulate, control and promote agricultural, technological and economic research on Jute and allied fibres and their manufactures and dissemination of results thereof.

2.2.            To organize production, testing and supply of improved pedigree of jute seeds and multiplication, procurement and their distribution to recognized organizations, selected growers and such other agencies as may be approved by the Board.

2.3.            To set up research centres, sub-stations, pilot projects and farms in different regions of the country for carrying out research of different problems of jute and allied fibre crops, jute products and allied materials.

2.4.            To establish project areas for demonstration of new varieties of jute developed by the Institute and to train the farmers for cultivation of those varieties of jute.

2.5.            To publish annual reports, monographs, bulletins and other literatures relating to jute research and the achievement of the Institute.

2.6.            To organize training of officers and progressive farmers in modern improve method for cultivation of jute and allied fibre (JAF) crops and also to train technical hands for utilization of technological research findings.

2.7.            To do and perform such other activities as may be necessary for the purpose of the Act of BJRI.

3.  Detailed Services/Activities to the Citizens/Clients:

3.1.            Dissemination of technologies (agricultural/industrial) developed by BJRI to the farmers/extension officers and field workers/small and medium entrepreneurs/NGO workers through training, demonstrations and other modern means.

3.2.            Supply of breeder seed to BADC and other private organizations and NGOs for the production of foundation and then certified seed for the farmers.

3.3.            Supply of TLS (Truthfully Labeled Seed) to the progressive farmers for the production of quality fibre.

3.4.            Help the farmers for the production of quality seed through a programme “Nizer Biz Nize Kori”.

3.5.            Train and inspire the farmers for practicing modern technique of jute retting to obtain quality fibre.

3.6.            Provide necessary advice to the farmers to control pests and diseases of jute and allied fibre and seed crops using IPM.

3.7.            Inspire and aware the farmers for using balanced fertilizers to restore soil fertility through training, field days, radio talk etc.

3.8.            Advice the farmers to incorporate jute fibre and seed crops in their cropping pattern to control crop related disease-pests and maintain soil health.

3.9.            Distribute the modern and refined technologies on JAF crops (agricultural and industrial) to the end users as leaflets, booklets, folders etc free of cost.

3.10.        Help in the chemical treatment of ‘Hessians’ for the production of rot proof nursery pots.

3.11.        Provide technical support in bleaching, dying, woolenizing, rot proofing, softening and fire retarding of jute and allied fibre through MoU between BJRI and interested jute related organizations.

3.12.        Provide technical assistance to establish BJRI evolved technology-based industries for the production of jute goods through MoU.

3.13.        Supply of HYV jute seed to the progressive farmers through demonstration plots to aware the general farmers.

3.14.        Deliver any service related to jute through the central, regional and sub-stations of BJRI.

3.15.        Assistance students or research fellows to conduct jute related agricultural and technological experiments for obtaining higher degrees.

3.16.        Deliver any other services declared by the Government.

4.      Details of Customers/Clients:

The major customers/clients for receiving the services provided by BJRI are the jute farmers for producing quality fibre and seed and different entrepreneurs for manufacturing different jute goods in the public and private sector jute industries. Besides other organizations such as BADC, DAE, NGOs, Jute Traders, Jute and Jute Goods Exporters, jute based cottage industries are also being received the services of BJRI.

5. Mechanism of Services Provided to the Citizens/Clients and

Redressal of Grievances:

For receiving the services provided by BJRI needs to be contacted to the Focal point/Contact officer. Besides Director General, Director (Agriculture) and Director (Technology) can also be contacted. Detailed information will also be available at different research stations of BJRI.

A ‘Contact Officer/Focal Point of Citizen’s Charter’ is appointed who is responsible for formulation/implementation of the ‘Citizen’s Charter’ of BJRI. Chief Scientific Officer of Planning, Training and Communication Division will function as focal point and will ensure expeditious redressal of grievances. Every Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, members of the public can meet him/her seeking redressal of their grievances and complaints. He/she will address complaints/grievances of them and send updated information to Office of the Director General regarding redressal of the grievances regularly. Director General will inform the matters to Office of the Agriculture Secretary if it deems necessary. The Board of Directors under the chairmanship of the Director General will review the Citizen’s Charter annually. Other relevant information regarding these activities will be available in the website: www.bjri.gov.bd of BJRI. Complaints from the government agencies can be sent to the focal point through proper channel and complaints from the private organizations can be sent to the focal point directly or through e-mail: info@bjri.gov.bd.

6.  Time-frame of redressal of grievances:

Jute is very important to the economy of Bangladesh. It is a leading cash crop and still a major source of foreign exchange. Jute provides employment to a considerable labour force; at least 30% of the population is involved in raising the crop. The government earns much revenue from the jute sector. The crop itself improves soil fertility, and its sticks are indispensable to the farmers for fuel, fencing and thatching. Jute is used to manufacture traditional products and packaging materials. The industrial products based on jute are environment friendly and have a world-wide popularity. The use of jute for paper pulp and geo-textile has improved the possibilities for extensive global use.

Nevertheless, jute in Bangladesh has started to suffer. Due to uncertain weather conditions, land scarcity, high input cost and an unfavourable jute-rice price ratio, jute is being pushed to less productive land. Low output prices and insufficient marketing support and extension services affect the jute cultivation and the export earnings. Future research on jute should meet those challenges and hence BJRI envisions the following :

i Development of high yielding varieties for favourable ecosystems, with short     duration, early sowing, and light or temperature tolerance. The yield should at least be 3-4 MT per hectare. Recent breakthroughs in biotechnology will be exploited. This will also help to reduce production cost. Emphasis will be given to varieties with improved fibre quality.

ii Development of varieties for adverse environment: reasonably high yielding varieties tolerant to soil salinity, flooding depth of about 30 cm and drought and varieties for coastal and hilly areas and less fertile soil.

iii Refinement of crop, soil, water and fertilizer management technologies. Special emphasis will be given to practices for better utilisation of marginal lands.

iv Strengthening of participatory Jute Farming Systems Research and fine-tuning of jute cropping patterns for different agro-ecological zones and new retting technologies.

v. Improvement of pest management techniques to reduce pest damage to the crops and to make jute more environments friendly and cost-effective.

vi. Strengthening of the linkage between jute agricultural research, extension and farmers as well as the linkage between jute industrial research, pilot scale entrepreneurs and the industry, in order to accelerate the dissemination of new technology.

vii. Establishment of more international links with research organisations of jute producing countries and with industrial countries. The traditional links with IJO will also be strengthened. This will help BJRI scientists to acquire knowledge and enrich their research capabilities.

viii. Development of technology for farm-level quality seed production to meet the HYV seed shortage.

ix.   Development of diversified jute products and fabrication of appropriate materials for diversified products. Cost-effective new jute products are needed for the domestic and international market.

xx.   Generation of industrial technologies like paper pulp for the jute and paper pulp industries and geo-jute for road construction.