2. PRODUCTION.

The section of "Long Vegetable Fibres" focuses on the production of traditional long fibres. Attempts have been made to make the products of traditional long fibres more competitive. These attempts were made on two distinct lines including, explorative work on minor fibres for substitution of the traditional fibres on geo-economic considerations, and the application of improved methods of cultivation and genetics for obtaining higher yields and qualities of traditional fibres. The possibility of using cotton-stem fibre as a substitute or diluent for jute has been explored. A number of cultural field trials have been conducted on sisal and Sunn hemp under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to study the characteristics and yields of different varieties.