The National Jute Board (NJB) & Jute Crop Information System (JCIS)

Source: PIB

Summary

• The National Jute Board (NJB) has expanded the implementation of the Jute Crop Information System (JCIS) — a technology-driven digital platform developed in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Jute Corporation of India (JCI).
• The system is designed to modernise crop monitoring in India’s jute sector.
• It replaces fragmented manual reporting with a geo-referenced, satellite-driven, evidence-based monitoring framework.
• The platform integrates ISRO’s satellite imagery, vegetation indices, weather analytics, and smart sampling to deliver accurate estimates of area, yield, and production.
• Key tools include BHUVAN JUMP (mobile app) and PATSAN (web-based analytics platform).

Background & Concept

What is the National Jute Board (NJB)?

The National Jute Board (NJB) is the apex body under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, responsible for the promotion and development of the jute sector. It was established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, and was formally enacted on 12 February 2009. The NJB works for production, marketing, research, and welfare of all stakeholders — from jute farmers to mill workers and traders.

What is the Jute Crop Information System (JCIS)?

The JCIS is a next-generation digital platform for real-time monitoring of India’s jute crop. It was developed by the NJB in collaboration with ISRO and JCI, and it marks a decisive shift from manual, paper-based reporting to a technology-driven, evidence-based system.

The JCIS integrates satellite remote sensing, geo-tagging, vegetation indices, weather data, and smart sampling to provide accurate, location-specific information on jute cultivation.

Aim of JCIS:

The system is designed to improve accuracy of estimates relating to jute area, yield, and production. It also enables targeted policy interventions by the government and ensures rapid response to environmental shocks like floods, droughts, and pest outbreaks. By providing real-time evidence, JCIS supports both farmer welfare and strategic decision-making.

Key Digital Tools:

The BHUVAN JUMP mobile app is used by the I-CARE field network for geo-tagged field data collection at the farm level. It leverages ISRO’s BHUVAN platform — India’s indigenous geospatial portal. The PATSAN is a web-based analytics platform used for surveillance, production assessment, and reporting.

Core Features of the System:

The platform combines several advanced features. It integrates ISRO satellite imagery with vegetation indices like NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) to monitor crop health. It uses smart sampling for Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE), which traditionally form the statistical basis for yield estimation. Real-time weather analytics generate early-warning alerts for floods, droughts, and abnormal temperatures. The platform includes flood impact models for rapid damage assessment, and it enables automated reporting between state and national agencies, reducing lag and human error.

Significance:

India is the largest producer of jute in the world, with West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam as the major producing states. Jute is often called the “Golden Fibre” of India because of its economic and ecological value. The JCIS strengthens India’s agricultural digital infrastructure, supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, and aligns with the Digital India mission. It also helps achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Challenges:

The jute sector still faces challenges like declining acreage, competition from synthetic substitutes, fluctuating prices, climate change vulnerability, and low mechanisation. The JCIS, by improving data accuracy and policy responsiveness, can play a vital role in reviving and modernising the sector.

Keywords & Definitions

• ▸ National Jute Board (NJB): The apex body under the Ministry of Textiles responsible for the development of India’s jute sector. Established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, formally enacted on 12 February 2009.
• ▸ National Jute Board Act, 2008: The parliamentary legislation that established the NJB for the promotion of jute and jute products in India.
• ▸ Jute Crop Information System (JCIS): A digital, satellite-driven platform for real-time monitoring of jute cultivation, developed by NJB in collaboration with ISRO and JCI.
• ▸ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India’s national space agency, established in 1969, headquartered in Bengaluru, functioning under the Department of Space.
• ▸ Jute Corporation of India (JCI): A public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Textiles, established in 1971, primarily for Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations in the jute sector.
• ▸ BHUVAN Platform: India’s indigenous geospatial portal developed by ISRO, providing satellite imagery and mapping tools for various sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning.
• ▸ BHUVAN JUMP: A mobile application built on the BHUVAN platform, used by the I-CARE field network for geo-tagged jute field data collection.
• ▸ PATSAN: A web-based analytics platform under JCIS for surveillance, monitoring, and production assessment of jute crops.
• ▸ NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index): A satellite-based vegetation index that measures plant health and density using near-infrared and red light reflection.
• ▸ Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE): Scientific field experiments conducted to estimate the yield of a particular crop in a specific area; the statistical basis for crop production estimates and insurance settlements.
• ▸ Smart Sampling: A technology-driven sampling technique that uses GIS, satellite imagery, and statistical modelling to select representative plots for surveys and CCEs.
• ▸ Geo-tagging: The process of adding geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude) to digital data, ensuring location-specific accuracy.
• ▸ Vegetation Index: A numerical indicator derived from remote sensing to assess vegetation health, biomass, and canopy cover.
• ▸ Early-Warning System (EWS): A monitoring and alert system that provides timely information about natural hazards like floods, droughts, or pest outbreaks to enable proactive response.
• ▸ Jute: A long, soft, shiny natural vegetable fibre spun into coarse, strong threads. Known as the “Golden Fibre” for its economic value and eco-friendly nature.
• ▸ Golden Fibre: A popular name for jute, reflecting its golden colour, economic importance, and sustainable character.
• ▸ Major Jute Producing States in India: West Bengal (largest), Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
• ▸ Ministry of Textiles: The nodal ministry of the Government of India for the textile and apparel sector, including jute, cotton, silk, wool, and handlooms/handicrafts.
• ▸ I-CARE: An initiative for Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise in jute, supporting scientific cultivation practices among jute farmers.
• ▸ Atmanirbhar Bharat: The Government of India’s self-reliance vision, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing import dependence across sectors.

Question Section (MCQs)

Q1. Consider the following statements about the National Jute Board (NJB):

• It functions under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
• It was established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008.
• It is a constitutional body.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) 1 and 2 only
• (b) 2 and 3 only
• (c) 1 and 3 only
• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q2. The Jute Crop Information System (JCIS) was developed by the National Jute Board in collaboration with which of the following organisations?

• ISRO
• Jute Corporation of India (JCI)
• NABARD
• FAO

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• (a) 1 and 2 only
• (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
• (c) 2, 3 and 4 only
• (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. BHUVAN, used in BHUVAN JUMP mobile app, is a flagship geospatial platform developed by which agency?

• (a) National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under ISRO
• (b) Survey of India
• (c) MeitY
• (d) NABARD

Q4. Consider the following statements about the Jute Corporation of India (JCI):

• It was established in 1971.
• It functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• It is responsible for MSP operations in the jute sector.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) 1 and 2 only
• (b) 2 and 3 only
• (c) 1 and 3 only
• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which of the following is the largest producer of jute in India?

• (a) Bihar
• (b) Assam
• (c) West Bengal
• (d) Odisha

Q6. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), integrated into the JCIS, is primarily used to measure:

• (a) Soil moisture content
• (b) Plant health and vegetation density
• (c) Rainfall intensity
• (d) Atmospheric pollution levels

Q7. Consider the following features of the Jute Crop Information System (JCIS):

• Integration of ISRO satellite imagery and vegetation indices.
• Smart sampling for Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE).
• Early-warning alerts for floods, droughts, and temperature anomalies.
• Manual paper-based village-level reporting.

How many of the above are core features of JCIS?

• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) Only three
• (d) All four

Q8. Jute is popularly known as the “Golden Fibre” because of its:

• (a) Use in producing gold-coloured currency
• (b) Golden colour, economic value, and eco-friendly nature
• (c) Trade in gold markets
• (d) High market price compared to other crops

Q9. Which of the following ministries is the nodal ministry for the National Jute Board (NJB)?

• (a) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• (b) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• (c) Ministry of Textiles
• (d) Ministry of Rural Development

Answer Key with Explanations

▸ Q1 → (a) 1 and 2 only

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong — the NJB is a statutory body established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, not a constitutional body.

▸ Q2 → (a) 1 and 2 only

• The JCIS was developed by the NJB in collaboration with ISRO (for satellite imagery and BHUVAN platform) and the Jute Corporation of India (JCI). NABARD and FAO are not part of the JCIS development.

▸ Q3 → (a) National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under ISRO

• BHUVAN is India’s indigenous geospatial portal developed by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), a unit of ISRO, providing satellite imagery and mapping tools across sectors.

▸ Q4 → (c) 1 and 3 only

• Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong — the JCI functions under the Ministry of Textiles, not the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

▸ Q5 → (c) West Bengal

• West Bengal is the largest producer of jute in India, accounting for the bulk of the country’s production, followed by Bihar and Assam.

▸ Q6 → (b) Plant health and vegetation density

• NDVI is a satellite-derived index that measures vegetation health and density by analysing the near-infrared and red light reflection from plants. Healthy vegetation reflects more near-infrared light, giving higher NDVI values.

▸ Q7 → (c) Only three

• The first three are core features of JCIS. The fourth — manual, paper-based village-level reporting — is precisely what JCIS replaces with a digital, geo-referenced, satellite-driven system.

▸ Q8 → (b) Golden colour, economic value, and eco-friendly nature

• Jute is called the “Golden Fibre” because of its golden-brown colour, its economic significance to lakhs of farmers, and its biodegradable, eco-friendly nature — increasingly important in a sustainability-focused world.

▸ Q9 → (c) Ministry of Textiles

The National Jute Board (NJB) functions as the apex body under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, which is the nodal ministry for the textile and apparel sector.