Friendly Bags, a hostile business in 21st Century India

There was a time in Ancient and British Ruled India, when Eco-Friendly Cash Crops like Jute and Cotton ruled the roost, precisely cash crop markets. East India mainly comprising of present West Bengal, Bangladesh and Southern Assam was very rich in cultivation of Jute as a Major Cash Crop. Similarly, Western India comprising mainly of present Maharashtra, Southern Gujarat and Northern Goa was very rich in cultivation of Cotton as a Major Cash Crop.

[ Courtesy : thehindubusinessline.in ]

In today’s time, the businesses of these cash crops are facing huge financial hurdles in the Commerce Sector of India. In most Indian villages and towns, farmers are not getting a good deal for their crops within the fiber market from the whole sellers. Even in many Indian cities, Jute Mills and Cotton Factories are being shut down. The reasons for shutting down are wage problems as well as losses incurring in their businesses. In West Bengal, in Kolkata City alone, most Jute Mills have shut down due to the above reasons and another big reason has been politically motivated trade unionism. Even Cotton Factories in Mumbai City have met with the same fate during the past 30 Years.

          

During the past 5 years or so, Jute and Cotton have made some progress by getting their businesses rejuvenated. This has been possible by introducing these fibers in designing of products like bags and other accessories related to Fashion and Crafts. Now cloths and scarves are also being made out of Cotton and Jute but such items do brisk business in Summer Season only. Now being seasonal fabrics, their cloths are over powered by their Silk and Polyester Counterparts in winters and Monsoon.

[ Courtesy : english.alrroya.com ]

In order to make these fabrics of Jute and Cotton, some Eco-Friendly Product Companies have started manufacturing products like Bags. These Jute Bags and Cotton Bags being environment friendly are doing good business in the market and are also being made at times in a stylish way, to attract potential clients from the Fashion Industry. It’s now about time that the Union Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Textile along with the Union Ministry of Labour & Employment under Union Government of India take strong measures to strengthen this new business of Jute Bags and Cotton Bags for saving these Cash Crops.