Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishvavidyalaya(IGKV) scientists to develop linen yarn carried out research and used the stem of linseed plant another name for flax seed. The development of this yarn under the research project is expected to boost the handloom and textile sector in the country, which has so far been dependant on imported yarn for linen production.

Dr KP Verma, the principla scientist explaining the process for developing the linen yarn said that the stem of the linseed plant is virtually useless. In the trial, they tried to find out how linen yarn could be developed from it. For that, they soaked the linseed stems in water for four days to soften the inner bark. Then the stems were dried in the sun till they became hard and brittle. Then to separate the inner soft tissue from the dry outer wood, the stems are grinded in machines. The soft tissue which is extracted is in the form of fibre and is then given to weavers who then process the yarn.

Verma added that the extracted yarn can also be used to make paper, decorative and handicraft items, which would boost Chhattisgarh's handloom and handicraft industry.

IGKV's vice chancellor Dr SK Patil spoke highly of the discovery and said that the university will continue to pitch in the research to farmers so that it not only fetches them additional income but bring about reformative changes in the textile industry.

The team of scientists who contributed in the project were Dr KP Verma, Dr Ajay Verma, Dr Sanjay Dwivedi, Dr Nandan Mehta, Dr Arvind Saraogi and Ramar Dewangan, a weaver.

In Chhattisgarh, linseed is cultivated in the tribal-dominated districts of Kanker, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Kawardha and Mungali across an area of 3,000 hectare. Apart from the flax seeds fetching Rs 6000 per quintal, the additional use of the stem for linen production would help farmers as well. So far, Indian linen fabric manufacturers have had to import yarn due to its unavailability in India.