Flax Fibre Extraction: Problems and Prospects for Machine Development

Flax is a fibre of plant origin. Fibre is obtained from the plant called flax or linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). Flax fibre is mostly utilized in textile industry due to its good qualities. Flax fibre production in India is negligible and domestic requirement of fibre is met by import. Valleys of the Himalayan ranges are the ideal geographical regions for cultivation of flax for fibre purposes. The crop is grown for oil purpose in some states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh but the stalks after deseeding which contain fibre remain unutilized. One of the major reasons is non-availability of suitable machine for fibre extraction. Some efforts were made at CRIJAF, Barrackpore to develop machine for extraction of flax fibre. This paper discusses the process of extraction of flax fibre and development of machine.