**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Textiles launched the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) in 2020 to boost the agro-textiles sector. As of December 2025, 14 Research and Development projects related to agro-textiles have been approved under the mission. A Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre was established in Gujarat in December 2024, promoting sustainable agro-textile applications.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM):**
* Launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Textiles.
* Pan-India initiative to promote technical textiles, focusing on agro-textiles.
* Interventions focus on Research & Innovation, Market Development, Export Promotion, and Skilling.
* **Research and Development Projects:**
* 14 projects related to agro-textiles have been approved.
* Examples of projects include:
* Insecticide incorporated Agronets (DRDO, Assam)
* Development of biodegradable electrospun mulch (IIT Delhi)
* Evaluation of natural fiber based agro-textile products (IIT Kharagpur)
* Functional textiles for tackling organophosphate insecticides (IIT Indore)
* Jute Agro Textiles as prospective mulching material (Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, West Bengal)
* Development of natural herbal extract coated seed protection bag (SITRA, Coimbatore)
* Development of Crop cover using Sun hemp and Banana Fibre (NITRA, Ghaziabad)
* Development of Energy Responsive Agrotextile (SASMIRA, Mumbai)
* Eco-friendly natural fibres for packaging (Wool Research Association, Mumbai)
* Development of jute bags (ICAR-Kolkata)
* Natural fibre waste to planting growth media (ICAR-Kolkata)
* Development of Tunable Agro textile (CSIR-CLRI, Chennai)
* Development of foam-in-place packaging (IIT Kanpur)
* **Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre:**
* Established in Navsari, Gujarat at a cost of Rs. 3.73 crore in December 2024.
* Promotes innovative and sustainable agro-textile applications.
* Offers live demonstrations, training for farmers, and awareness programs.
* Operated by SASMIRA.
* 576 farmers have been trained.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness and access to innovative agro-textile applications. Potential for enhanced productivity, reduced costs, and improved climate resilience through sustainable practices.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training programs and demonstrations at the Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre to learn about and adopt new agro-textile technologies.
**Stakeholder: Research Institutions (e.g., DRDO, IITs, ICAR)**
* **Impact:** Funding and support for research and development projects in the agro-textile sector. Opportunity to contribute to the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices.
* **Action Required:** Conduct research as per the approved projects and collaborate with the Ministry of Textiles to disseminate findings.
**Stakeholder: Agro-textile Industry**
* **Impact:** Potential for growth and expansion due to increased demand for agro-textile products. Opportunity to develop and market innovative and sustainable solutions for the agriculture sector.
* **Action Required:** Invest in research and development to create new agro-textile products and technologies.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Textiles**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the overall implementation and monitoring of the NTTM and related projects.
* **Action Required:** Oversee the progress of the approved projects, ensure the effective operation of the Demonstration Centre, and promote the adoption of agro-textile technologies.
Key Entities Referenced
National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM): A mission launched by the Ministry of Textiles to boost the technical textiles sector in the country, including agro-textiles.
Ministry of Textiles: The central ministry responsible for launching and overseeing the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).
Navsari, Gujarat: Location where a Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre has been established under the NTTM.
Synthetic & Art Silk Mills' Research Association (SASMIRA): Organization operating the Demo Centre established under the NTTM.
Ministry of Textiles
INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE AGRO-TEXTILE TO
ENHANCE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY
प्रव तथ: 05 DEC 2025 6:00PM by PIB Delhi
With a view to boost Technical Textiles sector in the country including agro-textiles, Ministry of Textiles
launched National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) in the year 2020. Under the Mission, 14 Research
Projects pertaining to agro-textiles have been approved (Details are given below). Further, a Climate-
Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre has been established at Navsari, Gujarat at a total cost of Rs.
3.73 crore in December 2024 to promote innovative and sustainable agro-textile applications for the
agriculture sector through live demonstrations, training for farmers, and awareness programmes to
enhance productivity, reduce costs, improve climate resilience, and encourage sustainable practices. The
Demo Centre is being operated by the Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA). A
total of 576 farmers have been trained in the Centre so far.
National Technical Textiles Mission is a Pan-India initiative to promote technical textiles in the country.
The Mission has strategic focus on agro-textiles, recognizing its vital role in enhancing agricultural
sustainability and productivity. The interventions under NTTM focus on Research & Innovation, Market
Development, Export Promotion and Skilling.
List of Research & Development Projects approved for Agro-textiles under NTTM
S. Project Title Implementing Institute
No.
1 Insecticide incorporated Agronets: Green Defence Research
Technology to minimize the insecticide burden to Laboratory (DRL), DRDO,
biosphere Assam
2 Development of long lasting and biodegradable IIT Delhi
electrospun/ needle punch nonwoven composite
mulch using natural fibrous wastes.
3 Evaluation of natural fibre based agro-textile IIT Kharagpur
products in protected eco-friendly structures for
production of high value horticultural crops
4 Functional textiles for tackling organophosphate IIT-Indore
insecticides, pesticides and nerve agents' toxicity5 Use of Jute Agro Textiles as prospective mulching Bidhan Chandra Krishi
material to test the suitability of mango based Viswa Vidyalaya, West
intercropping systems towards increasing crop Bengal
productivity and promotion of livelihood security
for the backward farming community Red and
Lateritic Zones of West Bengal
6 Sustainable use of unconventional fibres of Indian CSK Himachal Pradesh
Himalayas for Agro textiles Agricultural University,
Palampur
7 Development of natural herbal extract coated seed South Indian Research
protection bag using natural fiber with long lasting Association (SITRA),
mechanical and insecticidal properties Coimbatore
8 Development of Crop cover, mulch, soil protection Northern India Textile
fabrics and other products using Sun hemp and Research Association
Banana Fibre (NITRA), Ghaziabad
9 Development of Energy Responsive Agrotextile for Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’
low cost opportunities to grow off-season Research Association
vegetable/fruits (SASMIRA), Mumbai
10 Development of eco-friendly natural fibres based Wool Research Association
sustainable agro-textiles for packaging of agro (WRA), Mumbai
products with protection against rodents,
microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and
viruses and UV repellent properties
11 Development of jute bags for protection and quality Indian Council of
preservation of stored seeds Agricultural Research
(ICAR)-Kolkata
12 Natural fibre waste to planting growth media: Indian Council of
development characterization and evaluation in Agricultural Research
soilless crop production system (ICAR)-Kolkata
13 Development of Tunable Agro textile with Smart Council Of Scientific And
Functionalities For Enhanced Crops Production Industrial Research–Central
Leather Research Institute
(CSIR–CLRI), Chennai
14 Development of foam-in-place packaging using IIT Kanpur
agricultural residueThis information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI
PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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MAM
(Rajya Sabha US Q794)
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2199521) आगंतुक पटल : 356
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