What is Ramie ( Boehmeria Nivea )???

                           What is Ramie ( Boehmeria Nivea )? Ramie is a natural fibre a flowering plant. It is one of the oldest and strongest fibre in the world, having been used for atleast six thousand years. It was used in Mummy clothes in Egypt during the period 5000-3000 BC and has been grown in China for many centuries. Ramie unlike other crops is normally harvested two to three times a year and under good growing conditions it can be harvested up to six times per year. Harvesting is done just before or soon after the onset of flowering.

       

                          The stem of Ramie grows to a height of 1-2.5 m and it survive well in warm and humid with an annual rainfall of atleast 1000 mm. It is best suited in sandy loam or loamy, very sandy soil.It can also tolerate drought and frost. The leaves are Heart-Shaped 7-15cm long and 6-12 cm in broad.

                           Since Ramie is one of the strongest fibre it has a great demand in many developed and European countries. Natural fibres are of major economic importance to many developing countries and vital to the livelihood and food security of millions of small scale farmers and processors. In Europe, car makers are using an estimated 80000 tonnes of natural fibre a year to reinfore thermoplastic panels. Ramie is used in making dresses, suits, sewing threads, fishing nets, parachute fabrics, jackets, pants, blouses etc....

                             Most of the farmers in Nagaland have less or no knowledge about Ramie due to lack of proper technical know how for cultivating Ramie but why we should choose Ramie? Since it is a Natural fibre: 

1. Ramie is a healthy choice
2. Ramie is a sustainable choice 
3. Ramie is a high tech choice
4. Ramie is a fashionable choice                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                   The cultivation of Ramie will be more profitable if it is taken on commercial scale like in Brazil and Phillippines. Ramie plantation has another socio-economic aspects. In a country like India where there is an acute problem of employment, Ramie cultivation will generate employment opportunities to the poor people since the crop is labour intensive. The leaves can be used as a source of highly nutritive green food for cattle. In this way Ramie growers can derive extra benefit from the extra luxuriant foliage of this crop. dude....I thought it could be a great idea if we could make use of it and make a better tomorrow...........KUKNALIM