Jute bags are made from Jute or Kenaf (Rama) fibers which grow very well across many states in Nigeria.
The directive of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to all exporters to use jute bags for all food and exports crops,
instead of the more common polypropylene bags, has placed Nigeria in a difficult position as all jute bags are today
being imported mostly from Bangladesh and Cote d'Ivoire. Previous efforts in local production of jute bags after
independence failed because the manufacturing plants were designed to import yarn from overseas for weaving,
which was not sustainable. With extensive R&D carried out in NARICT on kenaf/jute bags technology, the drive is for
an integrated approach covering the entire value chain.
This necessitated the establishment of a model plant to serve as catalyst for the private sector renewal and
participation in this venture.
