Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced primarily from two varieties of plants, Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis. Jute is one of the cheapest natural fibers and second only to cotton in the amount produced and variety of uses. Jute is a Bast fiber and the second most important vegetable fiber after cotton due to its versatility. Jute fibers are composed primarily of the plant materials cellulose and lignin. It falls into the bast fiber category (fiber collected from bast or skin of the plant) along with hemp, flax (linen), ramie, etc. Bast fibers are longer than other natural fibers such as cotton or wool fibers. Jute is extracted from the stalk of the plant. The plant is harvested when it is 10-12 weeks old. The plants are then dried and the jute fibers are extracted by a process called retting. In this process, the stalks are placed in stagnant water for about a month during which time bacteria decompose the pectin that binds the fibers together. This process loosens the fibers from the stem. The stem is then crushed and the fibers are separated by hand. The fibers are then washed and dried in the sun. The jute fibers are then spun into yarn which is used to make various types of fabric. Jute fabric is very strong and durable. It is often used to make sacks and bags for carrying grains and other agricultural products. Jute is also used to make carpets, rugs, and floor mats. Jute is an eco-friendly and sustainable resource. It is biodegradable and recyclable. Jute bags are reusable and can be used multiple times. Jute bags are also cheaper than plastic bags. Jute bag manufacturing is a labor-intensive process and provides employment to a large number of people in developing countries.