Jute is popularly known as the:

Jute is called the "golden fibre" because of its shiny, golden-brown colour and because it has been a valuable, money-earning cash crop for farmers and for the economy.

About jute:

Jute is a long, soft, shiny bast fibre obtained from the stem of the jute plant (genus Corchorus). The two main species are white jute (Corchorus capsularis) and tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius).

Climatic conditions for jute:

• High temperature (about 25 to 35 degrees Celsius).
• Heavy rainfall (about 150 to 250 cm) and high humidity.
• Well-drained fertile alluvial soils, especially in river flood plains, where the soil is renewed by silt every year.
• A large supply of cheap labour and plenty of water for retting.

Processing:

After harvesting, the stalks are tied in bundles and soaked in water for two to three weeks. This process, called retting, softens the stems so that the fibres can be separated easily.

The fibres are then stripped, washed and dried.

Uses:

• Gunny bags (hessian or burlap), sacks for packaging food grains and sugar, ropes, mats, carpets and curtains.
• Jute is biodegradable and eco-friendly, so it is being promoted as an alternative to plastic bags.

Jute in India:

• India is the world's largest producer of raw jute and jute goods, while Bangladesh is the largest exporter of raw jute.
• Jute is grown mainly in eastern India.
• The Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987 requires a certain share of food grains and sugar to be packed in jute bags, to support the industry.
• The National Jute Board and the Jute Corporation of India support jute farmers and industry.

Why not the other options?

• ✗"White gold" is a name used for cotton (and sometimes for other valuable white products).
• ✗"Black gold" is used for petroleum.
• ✗"Liquid gold" is also used for petroleum.