Textiles Ministry Unveils ‘Paat-Mitro’ App For Jute Farmers

The Ministry of Textiles, in its continuous efforts to support and empower jute farmers, has introduced the “Paat-Mitro” mobile application. Developed by The Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), this application is a significant step towards providing essential information about Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and agronomy to jute farmers. The launch took place during the ‘Jute Symposium,’ with Smt. Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, inaugurating the application, which is available in six languages.

About the Paat-Mitro Application

• Purpose: The primary objective of the Paat-Mitro application is to empower jute farmers by offering crucial information about Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and agronomic practices.
• Multilingual Support: The application is available in six languages, ensuring accessibility for a diverse group of users.
• Free of Cost: All functionalities of the application are provided to users free of charge, making it easily accessible to jute farmers.
• Comprehensive Information: Apart from MSP and agronomic practices, the application includes information on Jute Gradation Parameters, Farmer-centric schemes like ‘Jute-ICARE,’ weather forecasts, JCI’s Purchase Centres’ locations, and Procurement Policies.
• Payment Tracking: Farmers can track the status of payments for the raw jute they sell to JCI under the MSP Operation.
• Chatbot Feature: Incorporating the latest technology, the application includes a Chatbot to address farmers’ queries and provide real-time assistance.

Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI): Key Facts

• Inception: JCI was established in 1971 as an official agency by the Government of India with the specific aim of providing minimum support prices (MSP) to jute cultivators.
• Implementation of Projects: JCI serves as the implementing agency for various projects initiated by the Government of India to enhance jute crop cultivation and improve the lives of jute growers.
• Administrative Control: JCI operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles, highlighting its pivotal role in the textile and jute sector.
• Geographical Presence: Spread Across States: JCI operates in seven states known for jute cultivation, including West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Financial Support: With an authorized and paid-up capital of Rs. 5 crore, JCI has the financial backing to support its initiatives.

Jute Corporation of India Limited: Government Support

• MSP Obligation: In line with government policy, JCI is obligated to purchase any quantity of jute offered by growers at support rates without imposing any quantitative limit.
• Government Reimbursement: Losses incurred by JCI during the implementation of policies are reimbursed by the Government of India, ensuring the sustainability of jute farming initiatives.

Summary

• The Ministry of Textiles has launched the “Paat-Mitro” mobile app to assist jute farmers.
• Developed by the Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), the app is available in six languages.
• Farmers can access information on Minimum Support Prices (MSP), agronomic practices, and Jute Gradation Parameters.
• The app includes features like weather forecasts, JCI’s Purchase Centers’ locations, and a Chatbot for queries.
• JCI, under the Ministry of Textiles, plays a crucial role in supporting jute cultivation and ensuring MSP.