The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on jute was studied using a combination of NaIO4 and CuSO4 as the initiator in an aqueous medium. Concentrations of IO4- = 0.005 mol dm(-3) and Cu2+ = 0.001 mol dm(-3) gave optimum grafting conditions and percentage conversion at 50 degrees C. IO4- and Cu2+ when used separately failed to induce either homopolymerization or graft copolymerization of MMA in the presence of jute. The effects of variation of time, temperature, monomer concentration and pH of of the medium on grafting parameters and percentage conversion were also studied and reported. Progressive removal of lignin and hemicellulose from jute separately produced significant improvements in the percentage grafting and the percentage conversion without greatly affecting the grafting efficiency. A mechanism for the graft copolymerization reaction has been proposed. Grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to the extent of 20-25% was found to improve certain properties, including fibre strength and modulus, moisture regain, rot resistance, whiteness index, light-fastness and resistance to thermal degradation. I.r. spectra and X-ray crystallinity of the fibre samples with different degrees of grafting have been compared. Surface morphology, as studied using scanning electron microscopy, indicates that PMMA grafting occurs on surfaces and in the intercellular regions of the multicellular jute fibre.