Context:
The Ministry of Textiles recently launched the “Paat-Mitro” mobile application to provide important information about MSP and agronomy to jute farmers.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- Paat Mitro: Empowering Jute Farmers through Technology
- Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI): Key Facts
Paat Mitro: Empowering Jute Farmers through Technology
- Origin: Developed by the Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI).
- Purpose: Facilitate access to crucial information on Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and agronomy for jute farmers.
Key Features:
- Multilingual Support: Available in six languages for wider accessibility.
- Free of Cost: All functionalities are accessible to users without any charges.
- Comprehensive Information:
- Provides the latest agronomic practices and MSP details.
- Includes Jute Gradation Parameters.
- Highlights farmer-centric schemes like ‘Jute-ICARE.’
- Offers weather forecasts, JCI’s Purchase Centres’ locations, and Procurement Policies.
- Enables tracking of payment status for sold raw jute under MSP Operation.
Technology Integration:
- Incorporates advanced features like Chatbot for addressing user queries.
Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI): Key Facts
- Founded in 1971 as an official agency by the Government of India.
Mission and Role:
- Objective: To provide minimum support prices (MSP) to jute cultivators.
- Implementation: Acts as the implementing agency for various Government of India projects aimed at enhancing jute crop and improving the lives of jute growers.
Administrative Structure:
- Control: Under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Textiles.
Geographical Presence:
- States Covered: Operates in seven jute-growing states: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh.
Financial Structure:
- Capital: Authorized and paid-up capital of Rs. 5 crore.
Procurement Policy:
- Quantitative Commitment: Obliged to purchase any quantity of jute offered by growers at support rates without any quantitative limit.
- Government Support: Losses incurred during policy implementation are reimbursed by the Government of India.
