2.1 NETWORK INFORMATION EXCHANGE
2.2 DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING ACTIVITIES
BJRI - Bangladesh Jute Retting Institute
CCM - Coordination Committee Meeting
CRPC - Community Retting-cum-Pisciculture Centres
CTA - Chief Technical Adviser
CU - Coordination Unit
IJO - International Jute Organisation
JAF - Jute and Allied Fibres
NCC - National Coordination Committee
NPD - National Project Director
TCDC - Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries
The production of jute and allied fibres (JAF) for cordage and sacking is a well established industry in many Asian countries. There has been considerable pressure on the traditional industrial system, however, owing to the fragmentation of support networks, the limited innovation and development funding available and, most importantly, the competition from synthetic fibres. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that other more productive agricultural enterprises compete for the same land, water and labour resources. This has marginalized jute production in many areas.
Jute (Corchorus capsularis and C. olitorius) and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus and H. sabdariffa) are among the least expensive and most versatile of textile fibres. The fibres are biodegradable, environmentally benign and renewable, and provide reliable employment in many rural areas. Jute fibres are used to manufacture colourful carpets, carpet backing, cordage, decorations, apparel fabrics, blankets, geo- and agro-textiles, non-woven materials, industrial fabrics, thermal insulations and numerous utility items in a range of traditional and innovative uses. When used as a source of biomass fuel, jute and kenaf production helps to conserve tree cover and natural forests. Moreover, leaf and crop trash remains in the field to be recycled as organic materials, thereby reducing demand for supplementary chemical fertilizers for subsequent crops.
Jute and kenaf cultivation requires about 200-400 man-days per hectare (m-d/ha). Fibre retting and extraction are also labour-intensive, depending upon productivity and the level of technology used, taking 50-100 m-d to complete one hectare. This provides employment to farmers, their families and to landless labourers in the community, but the work is demanding, levels of drudgery are high, and people working for long hours immersed in polluted water are subject to health risks.
Microbial retting and the extraction of the fibre from the woody core are important primary operations in the processing of JAF crops for fibre production. This involves the immersion of bundles of plants in open water - lakes, rivers, ditches, canals and ponds - and the controlled decomposition of the non-fibrous materials linking the fibres to the bark of the plants, with the use of aquatic microbes. After retting, the fibres are extracted manually, washed in clean water and sun-dried before marketing.
Retting and extraction processes have a profound effect on the quality of fibre produced, and on the cost of fibre production. It affects the efficiency of manufacturing, the quality of the end products and their competitiveness in the market. Ultimately, it determines the level of earnings for industry and returns for growers.
Given the severe levels of competition in fibre markets, jute producers are keenly aware of the need to improve retting and extraction processes, decrease their reliance on water, become less labour-intensive, lower costs and, above all, enhance the quality of the fibre produced.
The International Jute Organisation (IJO) was founded in 1984 following the establishment of international agreements on jute and jute products in 1982 and 1989. A mission organized, funded and fielded in 1984 put forward a number of recommendations focusing development issues into three principal areas of concern: productivity, pest management and improved retting and marketing. A proposal for a project on `Improved retting and extraction' was supported at several meetings of the IJO Committee on Projects in the period up to 1990.
The Project Agreement between the IJO, FAO and the Host Government, Bangladesh, for project GCP/RAS/122/IJO "Improved Retting and Extraction of Jute", was signed in Dhaka on 30 May 1991 by the IJO and on 2 June 1991 by FAO. The project became operational on 1 November 1991 and was scheduled to continue until 31 March 1994. Field activities in fact ceased on 31 December 1994. Donor funding amounted to $US 895 000.
The countries participating in the project through a regional network were Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia. The first five countries account for approximately 95% of world jute production and 98% of world jute exports. Indonesia is a minor producer, but a significant importer of raw jute.
The project was designed to make full use of existing national research and development institutions and domestic industries in the participating countries, and exemplified the Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries (TCDC) approach. It was both part of the national research and extension programme for JAF industries in each participating country, and a means of encouraging the separate national programmes to work for the benefit of the regional network of industries. The participating countries identified a national nodal institution and nominated a National Project Director (NPD). FAO established a Coordination Unit (CU) with a full-time Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) - an Agricultural Engineer - to act as Regional Team Leader and Project Manager. The CTA was supported part-time by a Consultant Microbiologist.
For improved coordination at national level, the Coordination Committee Meeting (CCM) recommended the constitution of a National Coordination Committee (NCC) in each country. These were quickly established. Study tours, a regional workshop and regular exchange of information, people, equipment and microbial material generally facilitated the technological exchanges during the three years, and helped to build a strong regional network.
The long-term objective of the project was to assist participating countries in the introduction and application of improved primary production and processing technologies for JAF. The project was designed to improve fibre quality and thus returns to the small jute producers, and to establish a basis for future economic and technical cooperation among Asian jute-producing countries.
The immediate objectives were to investigate and evolve better methods for fibre retting and extraction, to obtain better-quality jute fibres; to popularize promising methods among the small jute producers of the participating countries in order to enable them to obtain higher returns; to reduce the effects of pollution from traditional retting practices; and to increase the productivity of labour. The programme of activities in support of these objectives was divided broadly into information, development and testing, and extension. Activities included the collation of information, information exchange, the development of tools and equipment, the introduction of aquaculture, the promotion of preferred retting practices and the use of enhanced microbial cultures. Training took place throughout the programme with the use of field visits, study tours, workshops, meetings and reporting.
The work plan drafted by the CU, and later reconfirmed for use by the project at the first CCM, clearly established the respective responsibilities of the CU and the national NPDs for development, extension and networking activities.
The NPDs were quick to take the initiative, and introduced the recommended activities, raising the issues that were considered important for the separate work programmes of the nodal institutions in each country. This facilitated the exchange of information within the project network and increased the flow of national resources to the project.
The regional network provided the basis upon which all decision-making in the field was shared. It was conceived from the start to be an indispensible means of disseminating information, experience and technological know-how to farmers, traders, manufacturers and supporting services in participating countries. The free exchange of information within the network enabled the national research and development institutions to play a role and funding to be mobilized for the benefit of everyone within the network.
The CU provided professional support, financial contributions and enthusiastic management in the establishment of the network, which functioned well and remained largely intact after the end of the project.
The CCMs were central to the exchange of dialogue between national representatives and the CU, and provided the means whereby the different country programmes and the CU were able to debate progress and plan project activities.
The project teams placed considerable research and development effort into examining and exploring the technologies associated with retting. The areas examined were: the use of tools, equipment and water resources; the work required of, and the socio-economic factors that affect, farmers and others; the introduction and use of microbial retting accelerators; and the use of retting-in-field techniques and fish-jute retting practices.
The traditional and most common method of retting is what is known as `stem retting', in which the complete plant stem is immersed in water in bundles of multiple layers termed `rets'. With sufficient water supplies, cheap and available labour, and growing and retting in the same locality the technology is well-suited to the industry. In many areas, however, these conditions no longer exist. Water is restricted, the crop is grown at a distance from the water supply and labourers are unavailable or unwilling to work for low wages. Moreover, the quality of the fibre produced can be variable. The project thus promoted the use of `ribbon retting' techniques.
Based originally on a system of retting from northern China, where severe climatic constraints apply, the technique involves stripping the ribbons of bark from the plant on harvesting, drying them and storing them over winter for retting in the spring. This saves time, transport, and water. Moreover, the quality of the fibre produced is generally superior.
2.2.2 Tools and equipment
Chinese JAF workers use a simple hand tool, which comprises rollers and a cutting plate, for defoliating the stems. Ribboning is then undertaken with a stick driven into the ground; a competent worker can produce up to 20 kg/ha of green ribbon.
The project developed two simple devices for the same purpose: a single-roller ribboner and a double-roller ribboner. Workers using these tools were able to produce, respectively, 80 kg/ha and 180 kg/ha.
A number of other devices were also introduced. These include the Bangladesh Jute Retting Institute (BJRI) bamboo hook, the bicycle hub ribboner, the TDRI ribboner and the IBFC twin-roller ribboner. Various modes of work were considered: sitting and standing and for use by men and/or women workers. Extension bulletins and information leaflets were prepared for each device, and training was given to promote use. Higher rates of production became possible with experience, but a dose of patience and training was essential.
Considerable effort was made to overcome the limitations of labour shortages, with the use of powered equipment. The project reviewed the use of power decorticators world-wide and made recommendations for their use within national industries. Full use was made of equipment that was already available or under development in the participating countries. China was further advanced than other participating countries, with an estimated 600 machines in use, mainly as a result of the communal farming systems that were widely adopted in the country in the 1950s.
The project purchased four decorticators from IBFC China and distributed them to the nodal institutions in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Nepal. Additional prototype machines were developed in Thailand, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
A major disadvantage of the use of decorticators, from the perspective of the farmer, was the damage to the jute stick that resulted. Decorticators, by definition, fracture the stick into many short pieces as a means of separating the ribbons of bark from the stem. This is also wasteful, for an estimated 80% of the power available is used in decortication. The project recognized the need for a power-driven ribboner that separated bark from stem and left the stick whole, and encouraged its development. Limited time and resources, however, precluded the reality of taking this initiative further. Industrial costs in the region are such that a machine of this kind may not find a ready market apart from Thailand.
Given the availability of the resources of the BJRI in Dhaka and the Consultant Microbiologist in the project team, it was logical for the project to explore the options that existed for qualifying and developing improved microbial retting practices, for determining water requirements and for the use of low-cost bleaching agents.
The project concentrated on studies of mixed bacterial cultures which are efficient retting agents and which have a measure of symbiosis within the culture. The IBFC China succeeded in retting kenaf in three days using a special microbial culture multiplied in an incubator and then released into ground water. The JTRL India screened large numbers of water bodies used for retting, identified a mixed bacterial culture capable of retting in 2-3 days and kept samples of the culture for experimentation. Similar work was undertaken in Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia.
The BJRI screened fungi of different origins and found that the saprophytic fungus (Sporotricchum) was capable of retting dry ribbons of jute satisfactorily, under laboratory conditions. BJRI workers also developed a technique for dipping the dry ribbons into the fungal solution prior to separation.
Post-retting treatments with the use of fungal cultures were also examined to minimize the effect of cuttings on the fibres by removing the hard and barky bottom portion without adversely affecting other fibre qualities. Aspergillus sp. was found to be beneficial in improving the quality of fibres produced by one or two grades.
Although information was collated to describe chemical retting treatments using, for example, sodium thiosulphate, ammonium oxalate, urea and similar salts, no work was undertaken to qualify the procedures involved.
Work was undertaken in Thailand and China to qualify optimum stem to water ratios, to enable retting to be undertaken using less water. Reductions from a normal ratio of between 1:15-1:30 (by weight of stems, stem to water, respectively) to 1:5-1:10 were obtained in China with kenaf. Grade A fibres were obtained, although the time required increased. The FCRC in Thailand found similar results, without fibre quality being affected.
The dark colouring of fibres resulting from soil contamination and/or poor retting practices lowers the quality of the fibres produced. The project explored a number of low-cost bleaching treatments with the use of materials freely available in jute-growing areas. These included bleaching extracts of tamarind leaves and roselle leaves, vinegar and the commercial bleach Clorox. The BJRI Bangladesh found that a 2.5% solution of tamarind leaves was useful. The FCRC Thailand found Clorox to be the most effective, but with reduced fibre strength (from 19 g/tex to 6.4 g/tex). This was unacceptably high; other treatments that reduced the strength of the fibres to less than 25% of the original were recommended.
Practices that would reduce the effort involved in harvesting and retting, which were versatile and profitable and which could be easily introduced into other parts of the region were examined and, where applicable, promoted.
Rice-field-retting is a technique developed in China to take advantage of the time and land available between two crops of rice. The bunds of the harvested rice field are raised to enable water to be ponded to a depth of about 500 mm. Both stem-retting and ribbon-retting can be practised in-field, thereby avoiding the pollution of normal open waters. Furthermore, retting wastes remain in the field as green manure, and the impounded water gives a measure of control over nematode infestation.
A number of initiatives took place to promote the technique. A rice farmer in Bangladesh obtained a yield of 2.5 t/ha from his land following in-field retting of jute. The disadvantage, however, was found to be dark-coloured fibre representing soil contamination.
Considerable effort was made to overcome the limitations of labour shortages, ease farmers' work load, enhance performance and save time with the use of powered equipment. The project reviewed the use of power decorticators world-wide and made recommendations for their use within national industries. Full use was made of equipment that was already available or under development in the participating countries. China was more advanced than other participating countries with an estimated 600 machines in use, mainly as a result of the communal farming systems that were widely adopted in the country in the 1950s.
Washing machines, developed by BFRI China as a component of mechanization for use with decorticators, were introduced. The project purchased four machines for use at nodal institutions in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand. Limited use for the machines was recorded, however, and their use by domestic industries has not been pursued.
The establishment of community retting-cum-pisciculture centres (CRPC) by the project demonstrated the commercial and practical opportunities available for integrating fish farming and jute retting. A pilot model was successfully established with the potential for economic viability. Fast-growing catfish such as the African Magur (Clarias lazera) were raised to marketable size in four months - the period during which retting activities were undertaken. Retting is predominantly anaerobic and severe depletion of oxygen takes place, thus the production of fish at retting time has to be restricted to air-breathing species.
Simplified draft grading standards were developed and recommended by the project for domestic and export qualities as the result of the workshop in Indonesia. The grades had not been assessed and assimilated into the respective national systems, however, when the project came to an end.
The project established a viable network comprising domestic industries in the participating countries to encourage development and mobilize resources for the well-being of all those involved. Coordination meetings were organized in order to establish priorities and create consensus. A study tour to China and Thailand, a regional workshop in Indonesia and a number of international missions and conferences were also conducted. More than 60 technical and reporting documents were prepared. A considerable repository of information was collated and archived for future reference so that retting is given due consideration in the prevailing agricultural and industrial processing practices.
In areas where there is no shortage of retting waters and in which stem-retting practices can continue to be used, it is recommended that farmers adopt the improved cultural methods promoted by the project. These include harvesting the crop at the right stage of maturity; sorting stems by thin and thick diameters, and retting the batches separately; soaking basal areas prior to immersion; covering the immersed bundles and loading them down with weights that will not stain the fibres; stopping retting at the exact end point; extracting the fibres efficiently; washing them in clean water and drying them immediately in the sun on a well-designed frame.
In areas where there is shortage of retting waters, ribbon-retting should be practised. Simple ribboning devices or power-driven decorticators may be used. There is a wide choice of equipment and this will depend on farmer preference, tradition, the costs of labour and requirements for whole jute sticks. Ribbon-retting releases less than one-third of the organic matter released by stem-retting into the retting water, and this is a major environmental advantage.
The technique reduces water pollution, retains retting wastes as green manure, reduces handling and transport effort and thus lowers costs. The technique is recommended wherever farm cropping systems may allow.
Where irrigation water is available, a polyethylene-lined ditch 1.5-2.0 m deep will provide a useful temporary retting water facility. Jute can be retted in a ribbon to water ratio as low as 1:5. After removing the plastic sheet the ditch can be used for growing fish such as Magur; some supplementary feeding will be essential. The system is economically viable, and recommended.
Community retting-cum-fish culture is a practical and economical proposition. Composite fish stocking can be done when the retting season is over, and after allowing 2-4 weeks for oxygen levels to build up. In large areas of water or where fish refuges or safe zones can be constructed, retting and fish culture can take place simultaneously. Management requirements are high and firm agreements between fish and jute communities are recommended.
Where cuttings are a serious issue, the use of pectinolytic post-retting fungal cultures can be used with advantage. Only freshly made products should be used, for shelf-life can be three months or less.
To remove dark colour staining from jute and kenaf fibres, low-cost treatments using tamarind fruit pulp or mesta, roselle or tamarind leaf extracts can be prepared and used. Microbial cultures such as retting effluents (2.5-10%) or mixed bacterial culture may be used to speed-up retting, especially if ground water (as opposed to surface water) is being used; ground water normally has low microbial counts.
The application of low-cost and locally available nitrogenous materials such as urea (at 0.01-0.1% green weight basis) is recommended. Similarly, placing a few plants of sesbania into the ret accelerates retting.
Defoliation prior to retting will reduce transport and handling, return organic materials to the soil and reduce the amount of organic load discharged to the retting waters.
All the recommendations apply to all participating countries. Country-specific recommendations change with time and investment, and the nodal country institutions are best placed to determine the changing priorities that may apply. At project closure, however, the project highlighted the sectors listed below.
The use of low-cost retting hand tools, equipment and practices should be promoted, as should the single and double-roller ribbons, and the BJRI bamboo hook; these will enhance profitability and help jute farmers to remain competitive. Retting in polythene-lined ditches followed by fish farming, and CRPC, have been shown to be viable and profitable. Industrial pulp and procurement centres should be established.
Retting-in-field has been introduced in northern China; it could be promoted with advantage elsewhere. The use of single and double-roller ribboners is recommended where farmers want whole sticks. Similarly, the development of a power ribboner which leaves the stick whole is recommended. Microbial cultures developed at the IBFC should be commercialized.
Where water is scarce, ribbon retting techniques should be introduced. Further commercialization of mixed bacterial cultures is recommended, and their use should be promoted. CRPC has enormous potential in the country - for enhancing protein supplies and for increasing earnings in jute communities. Jute grades and grading should be simplified (jointly with Bangladesh; other nations would then follow).
Mechanized decortication should be more widely promoted. There is scope for developing a power ribboner for the production of whole sticks post-stripping. Ribbon retting should also be more widely promoted. Polythene-lined ditches-fish farming and CRPC are highly recommended.
Domestic industry should closely follow technical developments in India and Bangladesh, and adapt them for use at home. This should include the use of appropriate mechanization techniques and equipment to enhance performance, and appropriate technologies (CRPC, retting-in-field and new jute grades) to enhance profitability.
Further effort should be made to improve mechanized ribbon retting with more suitable machines, to adopt bleaching techniques which will remove staining and to introduce cultural techniques which will enhance profitability and ease work requirements: retting-in-field and fish farming in particular.
Jute industries throughout the region are traditional and lack innovation. Considerable effort and investment are required to redress this situation and enable jute industries to compete successfully in new markets. The project focused largely upon post-harvesting technologies, for which a number of recommendations were made. It is recommended, however, that research and development be undertaken throughout the industry, at all points within production, processing and marketing. Priority sectors should be identified. A mix of public and private-sector funding is considered essential.
Research should centre on microbiology, the mechanization of retting, environmental issues and the promotion and extension of techniques that enhance fibre quality and economic viability.
Water resources should be mapped throughout jute growing areas to determine microbiological properties. Fast-acting cultures should be identified, cultured and introduced into practical use. Fungal retting agents should be explored further for use with dry retting practices.
The use of microbiological agents in retting-in-field practices needs to be better understood in order to reduce colour degradation.
The use of power equipment is rapidly changing cultural practices throughout the region, and jute cropping is no exception. Tools and equipment are available which can enhance production; these require to be further developed, introduced and promoted where economic viability is proven. There is a demonstrated need for a power-driven ribboner which will produce whole sticks. Development of a suitable rig could take place within two seasons with adequate engineering and financial support.
Decorticators already available on the market need to be further developed in order to make them more `user-friendly'.
Greater understanding is required of the use of water for retting, the release of retting wastes into the water, gases produced by decomposition, and the effects of this on water and air quality. A knowledge of organic wastes would help identify the potential for their use as a source of food for fish, and of the profitability of joint jute-retting and fish ventures. Fish could have considerable environmental benefits as waste disposal takes place within confined open waters.
Human health is of paramount importance. Research and development work is required to determine the effects on the lives of those living near, or working in, retting waters, and of those who are dependent on contaminated water for parts of the year.
Atmospheric discharges of methane and other contaminant gases can be reduced with the use of a biodigester. This sector requires considerable research investment, particularly with the use of industrial-scale and/or commercially viable plants.
The project was network based and focused largely within the respective domestic industries, nodal institutes and NPDs being the main points of contact. If the many developments in microbiology, mechanization and cultural practices are to become better known, considerable promotional effort will be required. At country level it is recommended that extension workers, industrial advisers and others undertake demonstrations, surveys and evaluations of practices, equipment and techniques that may apply to domestic industry.
The information collated by the project represents a repository of knowledge that will remain viable for many years. This should be used for the preparation of bulletins, articles and material with which to inform jute farmers, to enable them to enhance production and earnings.
Regional cooperation, as demonstrated by the project, has been beneficial both collectively and to the separate domestic jute industries. More could have been achieved with the support of all the participants. This should be encouraged further, with the IJO taking a leading role within existing and new networks that may evolve in support of jute production. It is important to ensure that Indian jute industries participate fully in all future ventures, with due consideration given to the competitive commercial interests that may arise between India and other major jute producers.
A post-project initiative centred on the promotion of environmentally sensitive practices throughout the six jute-producing countries has been prepared. Modelled on the existing project, it envisages a budget of approximately $US 1.1 million over three years. A full-time CTA would be employed, working from a project headquarters in the Dhaka IJO.
The project entitled "Environmentally Friendly Retting and Extraction of Jute" will build upon the achievements of the existing project, following up promising lines of work, and redirecting activities into sectors such as energy production, human health, waste and water quality. A draft document has been prepared. It is recommended that the project be promoted and considered for funding by the IJO and/or other donor agencies. The new initiative will provide a measure of momentum, and help to maintain the network established by the existing project.
Dates of Service
Name Function Starting Date Concluding Date
International
Anwar Alam Chief Technical Adviser 18 Jan. 1992 31 Dec. 1994
M. Myser Ali Consultant Microbiologist 5 Nov. 1991 4 Feb. 1992
7 April 1992 20 April 1992
15 July 1992 14 Nov. 1992
25 Jan. 1993 9 Feb. 1993
1 Aug. 1993 31 Oct. 1993
1 July 1994 31 Oct. 1994
Participants Place Date
M.S. Alam Thailand, China Sept. - Oct. 1992
M. Asaduzzaman
Huang Peikun
Liu Zhengchu
Wang Shaowen
T.C. Mandal
W.B. Wahyunto
Darmono
M.P. Singh
L.B. Kari
S. Thippayrugs
C. Martwanna
A. Alam
U.C.L. Das
M.S. Alam Malang, Indonesia 1 - 6 Feb. 1993
A.K.M. Eshaque
M. Asaduzzaman
Wang Guolei
Liu Zhengchu
Wang Shaowen
S.K. Bhattacharya
D. Paul
S.H. Isdijoso
A. Sastrosupadi
W.B. Wahyunto
Darmono
S. Tirtosuprobo
P. Lumbantorunan
Sadullah
H.M. Mazni
Martono
Participants Place Date
M.P. Singh Malang, Indonesia 1 - 6 Feb. 1993
P.P. Basnyat
B.N. Singh
M. Somabhi
S. Krishnasreni
T. Visessuwan
A. Alam
M.M. Ali
I.A.A. Zahab
N. Chomchalow
P. Steele
M.S.H. Chishty
M.Z. Hoque
U.C.L. Das
Cost
Quantity Item ($ US)
Bangladesh
1 Land Cruiser, Toyota 22 000
1 Computer, Tandon 386 SX/25, 4 MB RAM 2 100
1 Matrix printer, Epson LQ 1170, 24 PIN 850
1 SPS: Patriot, 650 D 575
1 Power decorticator, Model HB-500 with 5.5 kW motor 1 435
1 Jute and kenaf washer, Model HX 380 1 070
1 Thai-Kenaf decorticator, 6 kW motor 960
3 Power decorticator 1 181
50 Manual ribboner 670
1 Oven 32 l 1 000
2 Binocular microscope 1 250
1 Refrigerator, Daewoo 475
China
1 Ribbon retting CRPC with essential accessories 15 000
1 Decorticator (HB-500) and washer (HX-380) set 1 000
1 Manual ribboner 500
India
1 Decorticator, Model HB-500 1 070
1 Washer, Model HX-380 1 070
1 Power hacksaw 1 200
1 Manual ribboner 400
Cost
Quantity Item ($ US)
Indonesia
Experimental retting tanks 5 000
1 Decorticator, Model HB-500 1 000
1 Washer, Model HX-380 1 000
Decorticators 1 500
Prime movers 1 500
1 Manual ribboner 500
Nepal
1 Decorticator, Model HB-500 1 500
1 Washer, Model HX-380 1 500
1 Manual ribboner 500
Thailand
1 Experimental retting tanks 10 000
1 Thai-Kenaf decorticator 1 200
1 Manual ribboner 500
A. Alam. Inception Report of the CTA. Report No. 3. Dhaka, March 1992. 38 pp.
FAO-IJO. Proceedings of First Coordination Committee Meeting (Dhaka, Bangladesh, 12-15 April). Edited by A. Alam. Report No. 6. April 1992. 85 pp., plus 11 appendices.
A. Alam, M.M. Ali. Detailed Work Plan. Report No. 10. Dhaka, April 1992. 77 pp.
A. Alam (Ed.). Improved Retting and Extraction of Jute and Kenaf - Proceedings of Regional Workshop held at the Research Institute for Tobacco and Fibre Crops, Malang, Indonesia; 1-6 February 1993. Report No. 30. Dhaka, February 1993. 437 pp.
FAO-IJO. Proceedings of Second Coordination Committee Meeting (Malang, Indonesia, 31 January 1993). Edited by A. Alam. Report No. 35. Dhaka, May 1993. 60 pp.
FAO-IJO. Proceedings of Third Coordination Committee Meeting (Khon Kaen, Thailand, 17-20 August 1993). Edited by A. Alam. Report No. 37. Dhaka, August 1993. 184 pp.
A. Alam. Ecological Attributes of Cultivation and Primary Processing of Jute and Kenaf: Retting and Environment. Paper presented at the International Conference on Jute and the Environment, The Hague, 26-29 October 1993. 10 pp.
A. Alam. Nature and Extent of Environment Pollution Associated with Environment Friendly Jute and Kenaf. Workshop on Pollution Control in Jute Production and Processing Industry, Calcutta, 10 February 1994. p. 1-14.
A. Alam. Energy Potential from Jute, Kenaf and Coir Fibres Waste for Rural Households and Agro-industries in Major Producing Countries. FAO Expert Group Meeting on Diversified Application of Bio-resources, Bangalore. Report No. 51. Dhaka, August 1994. 19 pp.
A. Alam. Improved Retting and Extraction of Jute - An Overview. Report No. 5 (Revised). Dhaka, August 1994. 21 pp.
A. Alam, M.M. Ali. Towards Solving Retting Problems (draft manuscript for possible publication in "Ceres"). Dhaka, October 1994. 20 pp.
FAO-IJO. Proceedings of Final Coordination Committee Meeting (Dhaka, 16-19 August 1994). Edited by A. Alam. Report No. 53. Dhaka, September 1994. 43 pp., plus 18 appendices.
FAO-IJO. IJO-FAO Single-Roller Jute and Kenaf Ribboner (Model-3). Extension pamphlet. Dhaka, August 1994. 6 pp.
A. Alam. Mechanised Extraction of Jute and Allied Fibres: Status Report (draft). Report No. 4. Dhaka, March 1992. 24 pp.
A. Alam, M.M. Ali. Biogas from Jute and Kenaf: Past Experience and Future Prospects. Report No.28. Dhaka, December 1992. 12 pp.
M.M. Ali. Microbiological Aspects of Retting. Report No. 29. Dhaka, December 1992. 14 pp.
A. Alam. Regional Technological Status of Jute and Kenaf Retting and Fibre Extraction. Report No. 23. Dhaka, January 1993. 50 pp.
A. Alam. Jute and Kenaf Decorticators tried in the Region and Immediate Priority. Report No. 24. Dhaka, January 1993. 32 pp.
A.Alam. Fibre Extraction Methods in Vogue in the Region. Report No. 25. Dhaka, January 1993. 13 pp.
A. Alam. Jute and Kenaf Grading - An Approach to Regional Level Grades. Report No. 26. Dhaka, January 1993. 11 pp., plus 3 appendices.
A. Alam. Jute Retting and Environment. Report No. 27. Dhaka, January 1993. 13 pp.
A. Alam, Shafiq Iqbal. Study of Bulk Density of Jute Stems and Ribbon to Stick Ratio. Report No. 54. Dhaka, September 1994. 6 pp.
M.M. Ali, A. Alam. Development of a Fast Retting Microbial Inoculum for the Retting and Improvement of Fibre Quality of Jute, Kenaf and Mesta (draft manuscript for possible publication in "Microbiology"). Report No. 55. Dhaka, September 1994. 25 pp.
M. Hasan Ahmed, A. Haque, M.H. Mandal, M.M. Ali, A. Alam. Studies on Community Retting-cum-Fishculture (draft manuscript). Report No. 58. Dhaka, September 1994. 25 pp.
M.M. Ali. Jute and kenaf retting: A review of available literature. Report No. 1. Dhaka, January 1992. 35 pp.
A. Alam, M.M. Ali. Draft Work Plan. Report No. 2. Dhaka, March 1992. 76 pp.
A. Alam. Note on Committee of Project of IJO. Report No. 7. Dhaka, April 1992. 2 pp.
A. Alam. Study Tour to China. Report No. 8. Dhaka, May 1992. 8 pp.
A. Alam. Study Tour to China. Report No. 9. Dhaka, July 1992. 3 pp.
A. Alam. Duty travel report. Familiarization-cum-Monitoring Visit to China, Indonesia and Thailand. Report No. 10. Dhaka, August 1992. 39 pp., plus appendices.
M.M. Ali. Jute Retting Training Manual. Report No. 12. Dhaka, August 1992. 46 pp.
A. Alam. Financial Procedures for IJO-FAO Regional Project (draft). Report No. 13. Dhaka, August 1992. 5 pp.
A. Alam. CRPC - Site Selection & Duty Travel Report to Kushtia. Report No. 14. Dhaka, September 1992. 41 pp.
A. Alam. Duty Travel Report. Familiarization-cum-Monitoring Visit to India and Nepal. Report No. 15. Dhaka, September 1992. 41 pp.
A. Alam. Duty Travel Report. Study tour to China & en-route visit. Report No. 16. Dhaka, Bangladesh. October 1992. 32 pp.
A. Alam. In-service Training at CRPC & Duty Travel Report to Kushtia. Report No. 17. Dhaka, October 1992. 12 pp.
M.M. Ali. Familiarisation-cum-Backstopping visit to India and Nepal, Duty Travel Report. Report No. 18. Dhaka, October 1992. 23 pp.
A. Alam. Note on Regional Workshop in Indonesia. Report No. 19. Dhaka, November 1992. 6 pp., plus 1 appendix.
M. Ali. Familiarisation-cum-Backstopping visit to Thailand and Indonesia and Duty Travel Report. Report No. 20. Dhaka, November 1992. 21 pp.
A. Alam. Note on visit of Dr. M. Scaillet, Director, AGO, FAO. Report No. 21. Dhaka, November 1992. 4 pp.
A. Alam. Report on Backstopping Visit of Mr. Peter Steele. Report No. 22. Dhaka, December 1992. 15 pp.
A. Alam. Duty Travel Report on Regional Workshop. Report No. 31. Dhaka, March 1993. 29 pp.
A. Alam. Report on UNDP-FAO Consultation on UNDP-India Project on Improvement of Fibre Quality (2 March 1993). Report No. 32. Dhaka, March 1993. 14 pp.
A. Alam. Report on Duty Travel to FAO Rome. Report No. 33. Dhaka, April 1993. 7 pp.
A. Alam. Consolidated Project Progress Report. Report No. 36. Dhaka, May 1993. 7 pp.
A. Alam. Duty Travel Report on Third Coordination Committee Meeting. Report No. 38. Dhaka, August 1993. 8 pp.
A. Alam. Duty Travel Report on Third Coordination Committee Meeting. Report No. 39. Dhaka, August 1993. 7 pp., plus 3 appendices.
M.Z. Hoque, A. Alam. Report on visit to retting water deficit areas of Bangladesh. Report No. 40. Project GCP/RAS/122/IJO, Dhaka, August 1993. 6 pp.
A. Alam, M.M. Ali. Monitoring and CRPC promotion visit to Kushtia and Rangpur Districts of Bangladesh & Duty Travel Report. Report No. 41. Dhaka, September 1993. 12 pp.
A. Alam, M.M. Ali. Improved Retting and Extraction of Kenaf in China - Monitoring and Backstopping. Report No. 42. Dhaka, October 1993. 12 pp., plus 1 appendix.
M.M. Ali. Consultancy Report. Report No. 43. Dhaka, Bangladesh. October 1993. 10 pp.
A. Alam. Improved Retting and Extraction of Jute in India: Monitoring and Follow-up. Report No. 44. Dhaka, November 1993. 7 pp.
A. Alam. Report on International Consultation on Jute and Environment and En-route Visit to Silsoe (UK). Report No. 45. Dhaka, November 1993. 24 pp. plus 4 appendices.
A. Alam. Workshop on Geotextiles in India. Report No. 47. Dhaka, March 1994. 10 pp.
A. Alam. Workshop on Pollution Control in Jute Production and Processing Industry, Calcutta. Report No. 48. Dhaka, February 1994. 8 pp.
A. Alam. Backstopping visit to Indonesia and en-route visit to Thailand. Report No. 49. Dhaka, March 1994. 32 pp.
A. Alam. Project Achievement Report. Report No. 52. Dhaka, August 1994. 29 pp.
A. Alam. Consultancy Report - 6th visit. Report No. 56. Dhaka, October 1994. 35 pp.
A. Alam. Duty Travel Report: Bio-resources 1994 and Expert Group Meeting on Diversified Applications of Bio-resources such as Jute, Kenaf, Coir, Sisal and Allied Fibres - Bangalore, Report No. 57. Dhaka, October 1994. 8 pp., plus 6 appendices.
