PAAT-MITRO (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Ministry of Textiles recently launched the “Paat-Mitro” mobile application to provide important information about MSP and agronomy to jute farmers.

Paat-Mitro

• Developed by: Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI).
• Purpose: To furnish essential information related to Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and agronomy to jute farmers.
• Features
• The application is available in six different languages to cater to a diverse user base.
• Free Functionality
• All the features and functionalities within the app are accessible to users without any cost.
• Farmers using the app can conveniently track the status of payments for the raw jute they sell to JCI under the MSP Operation.
• The app incorporates advanced technology features, including a Chatbot, to address user queries effectively.

Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI)

• Establishment: In 1971 as an official agency by the Government of India.
• Objective: To provide minimum support price (MSP) to jute cultivators.
• Focus: It focuses on enhancing the Jute crop and improving the lives of Jute growers.
• Administrative Control: Under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Textiles, it operates as a vital entity in the jute sector.
• Geographical Presence: Operating across seven states known for jute cultivation in India—West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh—it plays a crucial role in the jute industry's development.