The Government has launched a Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre at Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, on 21st December 2024. The Centre is maintained by Synthetic and Art Silk Mills' Research Association (SASMIRA) to promote sustainable agro-textile applications through live demonstrations, farmer training, and awareness programs. Its objective is to boost productivity, reduce costs, enhance climate resilience, and encourage sustainable farming. It also aims to increase domestic demand for technical textiles, strengthen market linkages, and improve competitiveness in bothdomestic and export markets.

The centre includes applications of Agro-Textile technologies such as Shade Nets, Mulch Mats / Ground Covers, Crop Covers / Floating Row Covers, Anti-Hail Nets, Bird Protection Nets, Insect Nets, Fishing & Aquaculture Textiles, Pond Liners, Turf Protection & Erosion Control Mats, Geotextiles for Water Conservation.

The demonstration center is equipped with IoT-based monitoring systems to track real- time conditions, such as soil moisture, temperature, humidity, crop yield, and growth performance.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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MAM/SMP/NM

(Lok Sabha US Q4211)

(Release ID: 2157865)