Jute trade organization urging Pakistani government to make jute a mandatory packaging material for grain commodities, says doing so will mitigate contamination and environmental damage caused by usage of synthetics as packaging material

Elyse Blye

KARACHI, Pakistan , May 16, 2014 (Express Tribune) – The Pakistan Jute Mills Association (PJMA) has urged the government to make jute as a mandatory packaging material for grain commodities in order to keep the quality and germination capability intact.

PJMA argued that this will mitigate the contamination and environmental damage, which is caused by the usage of synthetics as a packaging material besides earning green credit to the country. Furthermore, this mandatory order will also generate more employment opportunities in the jute industry which currently supports more than 125,000 people directly and indirectly.

The association mentioned that jute is considered as the best option for the storage of wheat and other grains worldwide. The natural fibres from jute do not affect the quality of grains and protect them from sunlight and heat.

Moreover, jute bags offer multiple reuse capability that can prove to be beneficial as the country lacks proper bulk handling facilities.

Countries such as India and Bangladesh are encouraging jute sacks for wheat, rice and other food grains packaging under a mandatory order.

The association further mentioned that these countries, in addition to mandatory orders, are also providing lucrative support to the jute industry. For instance, the exporters of jute bags in India are given a subsidy of 20% for the manufacturing cost and 25% for the cost of a new machine for technology up-gradation under the "External Market Assistance Scheme". Similarly, Bangladesh is offering 7% cash subsidy on the export of jute products.

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