The Government has set up a Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre at Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, inaugurated on 21st December 2024. The Centre is managed by the Synthetic and Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA) to advance sustainable agro-textile applications through live demonstrations, farmer training, and awareness initiatives.
The Centre’s objectives include enhancing productivity, reducing farming costs, building climate resilience, and promoting sustainable agriculture. It also aims to increase domestic demand for technical textiles, strengthen market linkages, and boost competitiveness in domestic and export markets.
The Centre showcases a wide range 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
Additionally, the facility is equipped with IoT-based monitoring systems to track real-time soil moisture, temperature, humidity, crop yield, and growth performance, ensuring scientific evaluation of agro-textile solutions.
This information was shared by Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.