Parliament Question: Assessment and Promotion of New-Age Natural Fibres

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1553 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2026 ASSESSMENT AND PROMOTION OF NEW-AGE NATURAL FIBRES 1553. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH: Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state : (a) whether the Government is aware that Rajasthan has significant potential for new-age natural fibres, particularly Milkweed (Aak), which grows abundantly across the State and can be fashioned into fibre suitable for textile production; (b) if so, the details thereof and whether any study/survey has been conducted to assess this potential; (c) the details of initiatives being taken by the Government under the National Technical Textiles Mission and other relevant schemes, to promote research, development and commercial use of new-age/alternative fibres such as Milkweed, banana fibre, bamboo fibre and hemp; and (d) whether any pilot projects, cluster development programmes or industry linkages have been established or proposed in Rajasthan for extraction and processing of Milkweed fibre? उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री(श्रीपबित्र मार्घरे रटा) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA) (a) & (b): Rajasthan has significant potential for the cultivation and collection of Milkweed across the State. The Government through Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) has undertaken extensive research and development technologies for making Milkweed suitable for production of sleeping bags, jackets, socks, towels, hygiene products, oil absorbents, vegan leather, medical textiles, etc. (c): Under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), 8 R&D Projects have been undertaken to promote research, innovation, standardization, technology development and commercialization of new age fibres. NITRA has also established partnerships with industries, research institutions, State Governments, and community organizations to facilitate commercialization and value chain development of New Age/ alternative fibre. The Government has also approved a financial outlay of Rs. 300 crores to promote research, technology development and commercialization of New Age Fibres under component III of Kapas Kanti Mission . (d): The Government through NITRA has initiated pilot activities in Rajasthan in collaboration with Women Self-Help Groups involving the collection of naturally available Milkweed pods to ensure the supply of raw material for fibre production along with employment generation and livelihood opportunities. Also, NITRA has established industry collaborations and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with leading textile companies for the development and commercialization of Milkweed-based products. ******