Jute Integrated Development Scheme (JIDS)

Jute has gained prominence in recent times thanks to rising awareness about usage on plastics. Jute can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to counter detrimental effects on the environment. As the largest producer of jute in the world, India stands to gain the most from the jute industry. Increased cultivation of jute and production of Jute Diversified Products (JDPs) ensures livelihood opportunities for rural folk. With this goal in mind, the Jute Integrated Development Scheme (JIDS) was launched by the Government of India.

Implementing Agency of the Scheme

The National Jute Board (NJB) is the implementing agency for JIDS. NJB will collaborate with various other partners such as SHG federations, cooperative societies, NGOs working for the environment, and entrepreneurs in the jute sector to implement the components of the scheme. JIDS has been operational since the financial year 2015-16. It works by establishing Jute Integrated Development Centres (JIDC) for implementation. Their progress is assessed by a Monitoring and Approval Committee (MAC) appointed by NJB.

Objectives of JIDS

The jute integrated development scheme aims to:

Increase awareness about the eco-friendly nature of jute so it can be used in the production of a wide variety of JDPs
Impart training and skill to the labour force involved in the decentralised jute sector of rural areas
Increase the production of JDPs by setting up more production units across the country
Offer employment opportunities to rural people in the production of jute products in newly created production units
Create a demand for raw jute, thereby securing the income of jute farmers
Encourage the production of innovative products from jute and also reintroduce traditional products in markets
Create efficient supply chains for smooth flow of jute raw material to the production units of JDPs
Increase the demand for jute products by undertaking market promotion activities in the jute industry

Key Components of JIDS

The jute integrated development scheme envisages the replacement of single-use plastic carry bags with jute bags in the domestic market first and then globally as well. It adopts a modular approach and has three key components:

Developmental scheme: It includes creating JDP clusters where jute products like bags and handicrafts will be made. Training and institutional support are also provided under this component.
Raw material and retail outlet support scheme: To ensure availability of jute fibre and yarn at fordable prices. This will benefit rural craftsmen and MSMEs of the jute sector.
Market scheme: To promote the usage of jute products both in the domestic and the international market.

Implementation Strategy

Developmental scheme: To encourage budding entrepreneurs to take up production of JDPs in a sustainable manner, jute integrated development scheme will organise

Workshops in various parts of the country to spread awareness and also to build capacity.
Training and product design programmes to encourage the use of jute in a wider range of products.

The collaborative agencies for this component are expected to facilitate and establish linkages with other handloom development projects of the government.

Raw material and retail outlet support scheme: This aspect of JIDS is implemented by establishing supply outlets for the availability of jute as raw material. Artisans and other small businesses can procure jute at mill gate prices here. Information services regarding new applications of jute are also offered.
Market scheme: The goal of this component is to generate business for small entrepreneurs and craftsmen through a sustainable approach. Techniques undertook to promote sales and increase demand for JDPs include,

- Dissipation of market information through seminars and workshops
- Marketing platforms such as fairs, exhibitions and trade shows at the village or district level
- Highlighting the carbon-positive and eco-friendly nature of jute as an alternative to plastic
- Brand promotion and advertisement campaigns focussed on innovative JDPs

Jute Integrated Development Centres (JIDC)

The JIDCs formed by Collaborating Agencies (CAs) are expected to offer the following services:
- Identify JDP clusters for sustainable production through Women’s Self Help Groups (WSHGs), craftsmen, and SMEs
- Spread awareness among the beneficiaries (small artisans, women, rural youth, artisans, budding entrepreneurs, etc.) about jute and its advantages
- Offer basic and advanced training, skill up-gradation, and design dissemination to the beneficiaries
- Collaborate with empanelled design trainers or masters under the scheme
- Set up Training cum Production Centres (TCPCs) for the scheme

Three levels of training programmes are available: basic, advanced and design. Trainees who have achieved basic level may move on further, and those who have qualified the advanced level will be given design training. Each TCPC will offer training for a fixed number of beneficiaries.

Training level	Batch strength	Duration (in weeks)
Basic	20	3
Advanced	20	2
Design	20	2

Successful trainees will be linked to the same TCPC for production activities.

Selection and Venue: The targeted beneficiaries must be selected with the help of local government agencies for ease of linkage with government financial programmes. The venue for the TCPC may be either owned or hired by the collaborating agency. It must be centrally located and have adequate capacity to accommodate the batch.
The collaborating agency must take care of raw material access for training and production purposes. For marketing linkages, the CA must establish two retail outlets and ensure participation in fairs, trade shows, etc.
Focus products of the TCPC may be any of the following:
- Handicrafts
- Handloom products
- Shopping bags
- Utility products
- Other products

Eligibility Criteria for Collaborating Agencies

The following entities may submit proposals for the establishment of JIDC/TCPC with financial assistance under the scheme:

Registered enterprises, manufacturers, merchant traders, exporters, etc. involved in the jute sector for at least three years
NGOs, cooperative societies, other federations, PSUs and government organisations with three years’ experience in skill training, production or marketing of JDPs
Other recognised agencies that have been promoting WSHGs in the jute sector for at least three years

Application Procedure and Documents Required

Invitations for submitting proposals and applications to establish TCPCs/JIDCs may be found online at the official website of NJB: http://jute.com/web/guest/schemes/jid_scheme In a sealed cover, the following documents must be attached along with the proposal from the collaborating agency:

Relevant ownership documents
PAN and IT return for the last financial year
Annual reports and audited financial reports for the last three years
Supporting documents like project experience certificates, etc.
Recommendation from respective district magistrate or collector
Approach note highlighting the need for training in the jute sector
An undertaking from the CA that if allotted, the JIDC will be in operation for a minimum of one year unless terminated earlier by NJB