Jute plays an important role in the economies of South Asian countries. In India alone it sustains some four million families. Jute: Regional Focus summarizes the jute sector in countries like India, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, and Brazil. Starting from raw material availability, it mentions the consumption, production, export, and import of jute fibre and products. It also highlights the problems afflicting the jute sector like a stagnant yield, the lack of improvement in quality, the unremunerative price paid to the growers, the rising cost of production, the considerable competition from the synthetic sector, the demand erosion, the obsolescence of machinery, uneconomic working, etc. The book also discusses the competitive strength of jute against synthetics, possibilities of cost reduction, jute in relation to the environment, and the achievements of the International Jute Organisation. It also offers an insight into the implications of regional cooperation among the jute producing countries. It identifies the components of regional cooperation and investigates its importance and indispensability with reference to critical issues in the jute sector, as well as highlights the specific areas where some jute producing countries have contributed significantly. Certain examples where India has performed well in the field of diversification are given too.
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Before the advent of synthetic fibers and cargo containers, jute sacks were the preferred packaging material of global trade, transporting the world's grain, cotton, sugar, tobacco, coffee, wool, guano, and bacon. Jute was the second-most widely consumed fiber in the world, after cotton. While the sack circulated globally, the plant was cultivated almost exclusively by peasant smallholders in a small corner of the world: the Bengal delta. This book examines how jute fibers entangled the delta's peasantry in the rhythms and vicissitudes of global capital. Taking readers from the nineteenth-century high noon of the British Raj to the early years of post-partition Pakistan in the mid-twentieth century, Tariq Omar Ali traces how the global connections wrought by jute transformed every facet of peasant life: practices of work, leisure, domesticity, and sociality; ideas and discourses of justice, ethics, piety, and religiosity; and political commitments and actions. Ali examines how peasant life was structured and restructured with oscillations in global commodity markets, as the nineteenth-century period of peasant consumerism and prosperity gave way to debt and poverty in the twentieth century. A Local History of Global Capital traces how jute bound the Bengal delta's peasantry to turbulent global capital, and how global commodity markets shaped everyday peasant life and determined the difference between prosperity and poverty, survival and starvation.
Introduction Economics is often regarded as the backbone of a nation's policy-making and development. Its principles and applications impact every aspect of society, from individual choices to global trade policies. For Civil Service Exam aspirants, a thorough understanding of economics is indispensable, as it equips you with the knowledge to analyze and address the pressing issues facing our country and the world. The Importance of Economics in Civil Services Economics forms a crucial part of the Civil Service Exam syllabus, reflecting its importance in governance and administration. As future civil servants, you will be required to make informed decisions that can influence economic growth, social welfare, and overall national development. Hence, a solid grasp of both basic and advanced economic concepts is essential. Basic Concepts We begin with the fundamentals of economics, laying a strong foundation for more advanced topics. Key concepts such as supply and demand, market equilibrium, and the role of prices in an economy are explained in a straightforward manner. You will learn about different types of markets, including perfect competition, monopoly, and oligopoly, and how they function. National Income and Economic Indicators Understanding how to measure an economy’s performance is critical. We cover essential economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Product (GNP), inflation, and unemployment rates. These indicators provide insights into the health of an economy and are vital for policy-making. Money and Banking The role of money in the economy, the functioning of banks, and the significance of financial markets are explored in detail. You will learn about monetary policy, the workings of the Reserve Bank of India, and how financial institutions influence economic stability and growth. Public Finance This section delves into government revenue and expenditure, focusing on fiscal policy and its implications for the economy. Topics such as taxation, public debt, and budget deficits are discussed to provide an understanding of how governments manage economic resources. International Trade and Finance In an increasingly globalized world, understanding international economics is crucial. We discuss trade theories, balance of payments, exchange rates, and the impact of globalization on national economies. The roles of international organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are also covered. Economic Development and Planning Economic development is a major goal for any government. This part of the book examines the strategies and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development. Issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability are addressed, along with the role of planning in economic development. Contemporary Economic Issues The final chapters focus on current economic challenges and trends. Topics like digital economy, climate change, and economic reforms are discussed to provide a contemporary perspective. Understanding these issues is crucial for aspiring civil servants who will be at the forefront of addressing them. Conclusion This book aims to provide a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to economics, tailored specifically for Civil Service Exam aspirants. By bridging basic and advanced topics, it prepares you to tackle the economic questions in the exam with confidence. More importantly, it equips you with the knowledge to contribute effectively to the economic development and welfare of our society. I hope this book serves as a valuable resource in your preparation and inspires you to delve deeper into the fascinating world of economics. Nitin Arora
The jute commodity system as prevalent in the Indian subcontinent is a conglomeration of paradoxes. Jute was once called the golden fibre on account of its contribution to means of livelihood to millions of farmers, traders, manufacturers in the unorganized sector, mill workers in the organized sector as well scores of people employed in the service sector relating to trading, manufacturing and exports of jute and jute goods. Jute industry along with textile manufacturing provided the foundation of modern manufacturing industry in India. Simultaneously, this industry was also the fountain head of the growth of private entrepreneurship and capital in India. Most of the traditional Industrial Houses in India grew out of trading and manufacturing of jute and jute goods, coal and tea. On the other hand most of the farmers involved in cultivation of natural fibres like jute are small and marginal farmers. Without alternative avenues of gainful employment elsewhere, these millions in South Asia would be deprived of a part of their livelihood. The entire commodity chain of natural fibres is characterized by low productivity, low value addition, high volumes and low returns. The advent and discovery of mineral oil helped exploit cheap HDPE and PP polyethylene sacks, which started replacing the natural fibre based packaging materials. As a result, the jute industry got wiped out from Europe, America and the Far East. Today, it is survived in the Indian subcontinent and to a lesser extent in Brazil. The unique feature of the volume is that it focuses on the first hand experience of the policy-makers and other stakeholders in the jute commodity system, who are confronted with a dilemma of reviving a declining economic subsector. At this juncture, when there is need for a Commodity Development Strategy suitable to the ethos of a commodity like the jute fibre, the present, volumes attempts to devise such a strategy thorough analysis of the system based on authentic and up-to-date information. The Book furnishes an erudite analysis and stock-taking of the jute commodity system. This analysis points out to the fact that there is a need for a holistic, systemic approach to the problems being faced by this sector focusing on the economic exploitation of the whole jute plant; holistic research for addressing productivity and processing efficiency in the entire commodity chain of jute; and creating a network of organisations for advocacy for jute and allied fibres, which would focus on repositioning the golden fibre as sustainable and eco-friendly commodity with the help of green and sustainable development advocacy groups. The Commodity Development Strategy highlights the need for greater effort for significant degree of product diversification which would entail significant consumption of the fibre or fabric in volume terms. The volume ends with an optimistic note with ideas of inclusive development under the Millennium Development Goals and Carbon Credits Sustainable Development under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change the welcome paradigm shifts in the approach to the jute sector. The effort by Sh Roul is a timely one on the eve of the observance of 2009 as International Year for Natural Fibres by the United Nations. The book is quite comprehensive with its focus on a wide range of issues pertaining to the jute agri-commodity system addressed against a historical background and from macro-economic analytical perspective. The volume offers stimulating reading for those interested in the dynamics of agricultural commodity systems like jute and allied fibres. The book is expected to help sensitise national governments, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations towards the eco-sustainability of jute as a natural fibre. The book can serve as an excellent reference book for post-graduate students in economics, jute and textiles management, development studies, regional development and agriculture and agro-marketing.
Dundee had an interesting role to play in the jute trade, but the main player in the story of jute was Calcutta. This book follows the relationship of jute to empire, and discusses the rivalry between the Scottish and Indian cities from the 1840s to the 1950s and reveals the architecture of jute's place in the British Empire. The book adopts significant fresh approaches to imperial history, and explores the economic and cultural landscapes of the British Empire. Jute had been grown, spun and woven in Bengal for centuries before it made its appearance as a factory-manufactured product in world markets in the late 1830s. The book discusses the profits made in Calcutta during the rise of jute between the 1880s and 1920s; the profits reached extraordinary levels during and after World War I. The Calcutta jute industry entered a crisis period even before it was pummelled by the depression of the 1930s. The looming crisis stemmed from the potential of the Calcutta mills to outproduce world demand many times over. The St Andrew's Day rituals in Calcutta, begun three years before the founding of the Indian Jute Mills Association. The ceremonial occasion helps the reader to understand what the jute wallahs meant when they said they were in Calcutta for 'the greater glory of Scotland'. The book sheds some light on the contentious issues surrounding the problematic, if ever-intriguing, phenomenon of British Empire. The jute wallahs were inextricably bound up in the cultural self-images generated by British imperial ideology.
(Content updated) Agri-Tools Manufacturing 1. Market Overview: The Agri-Tools Manufacturing industry is a vital part of the agriculture sector, providing essential equipment and machinery to support farming operations. Growth is driven by the increasing demand for advanced and efficient farming tools to meet the rising global food production requirements. 2. Market Segmentation: The Agri-Tools Manufacturing market can be segmented into several key categories: a. Hand Tools: • Basic manual tools used for tasks like planting, weeding, and harvesting. b. Farm Machinery: • Larger equipment such as tractors, Plows, and combines used for field cultivation and crop management. c. Irrigation Equipment: • Tools and systems for efficient water management and irrigation. d. Harvesting Tools: • Machinery and hand tools for crop harvesting and post-harvest processing. e. Precision Agriculture Tools: • High-tech equipment including GPS-guided machinery and drones for precision farming. f. Animal Husbandry Equipment: • Tools for livestock management and animal husbandry practices. 3. Regional Analysis: The adoption of Agri-Tools varies across regions: a. North America: • A mature market with a high demand for advanced machinery, particularly in the United States and Canada. b. Europe: • Growing interest in precision agriculture tools and sustainable farming practices. c. Asia-Pacific: • Rapidly expanding market, driven by the mechanization of farming in countries like China and India. d. Latin America: • Increasing adoption of farm machinery due to the region's large agricultural sector. e. Middle East & Africa: • Emerging market with potential for growth in agri-tools manufacturing. 4. Market Drivers: a. Increased Farming Efficiency: • The need for tools and machinery that can increase farm productivity and reduce labour costs. b. Population Growth: • The growing global population requires more efficient farming practices to meet food demands. c. Precision Agriculture: • The adoption of technology for data-driven decision-making in farming. d. Sustainable Agriculture: • Emphasis on tools that support sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices. 5. Market Challenges: a. High Initial Costs: • The expense of purchasing machinery and equipment can be a barrier for small-scale farmers. b. Technological Adoption: • Some farmers may be resistant to adopting new technology and machinery. c. Maintenance and Repairs: • Ensuring proper maintenance and timely repairs can be challenging. 6. Opportunities: a. Innovation: • Developing advanced and efficient tools using IoT, AI, and automation. b. Customization: • Offering tools tailored to specific crops and regional needs. c. Export Markets: • Exploring export opportunities to regions with growing agricultural sectors. 7. Future Outlook: The future of Agri-Tools Manufacturing looks promising, with continued growth expected as technology continues to advance and the need for efficient and sustainable agriculture practices increases. Innovations in machinery and equipment, along with the adoption of precision agriculture tools, will play a significant role in transforming the industry and addressing the challenges faced by the agriculture sector. Conclusion: Agri-Tools Manufacturing is a cornerstone of modern agriculture, providing farmers with the equipment and machinery they need to feed a growing global population. As the industry continues to evolve, there will be opportunities for innovation and collaboration to develop tools that are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. Agri-tools manufacturers play a critical role in supporting sustainable and productive farming practices, making them essential contributors to the global food supply chain.
Based on fascinating primary research in India, England, and Scotland, this book represents a new departure in the writing of imperial history. JUTE AND EMPIRE follows the intriguing story of the rivalry between Calcutta, India, and Dundee, Scotland, from the 1830s to the 1950, as these two cities competed in the world jute trade.
