A Brief History of West Bengal’s Jute Industry

The jute industry in West Bengal has a long and rich history. Jute, a natural fiber that is used for making bags, carpets, and other products, was first grown in Bengal during the 17th century. In the early 19th century, the British started exporting jute from Bengal to other parts of the world.

At that time, no one wondered that the industry would witness a downfall and that a Calcuttabased businessman will revive the sector with excellence and sheer self-belief. Yes, we’re speaking of Mr. Ghanshyam Sarda, head of The Sarda Group of Industries. Before praising and acknowledging Mr. Sarda for his efforts and dedication, let’s just understand and recall the history of the Jute industry in India.

During British rule, the jute industry grew rapidly in Bengal, and the state became the world's largest producer of jute. Jute mills were set up in different parts of Bengal, and the industry provided employment to thousands of people. After India gained independence in 1947, the jute industry in West Bengal continued to flourish.

However, in the 1980s and 1990s, the industry faced tough competition from synthetic fibers and experienced a decline. To revive the industry, the government of West Bengal took several steps, including providing financial assistance to jute mills, modernizing the mills, and promoting the use of jute products. The government also encouraged the establishment of small-scale jute industries in rural areas.

Today, West Bengal remains one of the largest producers of jute in India, and the industry employs a significant number of people in the state. Jute is also being promoted as an eco-

friendly alternative to synthetic fibers, and there is a growing demand for jute products both within India and in other parts of the world.

How Ghanshyam Sarda Revived the Jute Industry?

Ghanshyam Sarda is a veteran who hails from Calcutta. The man is responsible for saving the existence jute industry when it was on an edge of crumbling Today, the jute industry is doing wonders and major credit for this should go to Mr. Sarda. His passion and zeal have resulted in significant growth of jute production and overall supply.

As we know, Ghanshyam Sarda is the head of the Sarda Group of Industries, which mainly serves the Information Technology, Commercial Real Estate, and Jute Sectors. It isn’t wrong to state that he showed great resistance throughout his journey, which is why he has been recognized on several occasions.

The Sarda Group of Industries owns Vision Comptech, Alwar Jute Mill, Axsys Technologies, and Agarpara Jute Mill as well. He is unarguably one of the biggest employers in India, employing over 70,000 workers across Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. When we talk about business intelligence and sheer selfbelief, Ghanshyam Sarda always comes to our minds.

Mr. Sarda and his planning and execution have been top-notch since the day he started his entrepreneurial journey. He was also honored with The Times Business Awards in Kolkata in 2019 because of his dedication and powerful strategic planning. Apart from this, he has also been recognized as the ‘Leading Industrialist from Kolkata’ among the ‘Top Icons of Kolkata 2019’.

He deserves appreciation and recognition for all the efforts and ultimate results of his brilliance. The Sarda Group of Industries is also planning to train inexperienced jute workers to establish professional standards in jute mills in order to maximize their performance.