UTILISATION OF JUTE BY-PRODUCTS: A REVIEW.

Jute (the golden fibre) has been cultivated in India since time immemorial. About 5 million people get employment in jute farming, trading and industry though the crop occupies only 0.55% of the gross cropped area of the country. The traditional usage of jute has been sustained in packing as hessian, sacking, and carpet backing. However, in recent times jute has application prospects that ranges from geo-textiles to apparel, carpet, decorative items, upholstery, home furnishings, fancy non-woven etc. Though the diversification of jute fibre made it a very attractive industrial commodity, the farmers are not able to reap the benefits through its cultivation. Moreover, jute bye-products viz. jute leaves, jute stick, jute caddies (mill waste) and jute root cuttings are not used efficiently. If these bye-product resources can be utilized properly poor farmers will be benefited and it will be a boost to our national economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]