The magnitude of the national jute policy introduced three years ago is beyond debate as it has recommended steps to strengthen the farm sector, modernise mills and give a new direction to domestic and global marketing. But unfortunately, as have been the case with earlier government-sponsored packages for the jute industry, the new policy has so far remained only a declaration of good intent. Let's take jute cultivation first. The policy underpins the need for strengthening the gene pool of jute and mesta, and developing new breeding techniques. But for effective technology transfer to fields and giving farmers access to good seeds and other inputs, the mills need to reach out to the farmers. Bridging the gap The policy recommends forging of synergies between the farm sector and mills. But the jute industry makes the unabashed admission that it has not involved itself with the farm sector in any way. Neither are there signs that jute growing states such as West Bengal and Assam have, as the policy recommends, "reorganised and restructured' jute farm extension system. As the mills and local governments have shied away from initiating the recommended moves, the supply of high quality fibre remains restricted.This does not help the cause of making textile-grade jute products. It also remains a point of concern that only a handful of mills have taken the "modernisation and technological upgradation' mission seriously. Industry watchers think that the new ownership pattern of jute mills