Handicraft

Submitted by admin on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 15:49

 

 

Tripura is enclosed with rich and diverse bamboo resources. Bamboo resources. Bamboo has been traditionally used in Tripura for various domestic purposes as well as commercial use including bamboo mats, agarbati sticks, handicrafts etc. Cane & bamboo handicrafts of Tripura are considered to be among the best in the country for their exquisite designs, wide range of products and artistic appeal. The handicrafts have also been exported to some countries.

 

Over the years, efforts have been made to organize the handicrafts artisans into cluster, with a view to provide the necessary support, including forward and backward linkages, so that the sector can grow and realize its full potential. So far, 116 clusters have been formed in West Tripura District, 3 clusters in South Tripura District, 1 cluster in North Tripura District and 1 cluster in Dhalai District with total membership of about 3,200. As per the Census report there are 1,49,280 artisans in the State. The products of handicrafts artisans are marketed through 16 sales outlets of Tripura Handloom Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd. (THHDCL) including 1 in Delhi, 4 in Kolkata and 3 in Assam.

 

 

Tripura Bamboo Mission:

 

The State Government launched 'Tripura Bamboo Mission' Programme in 2007 with the objective of developing the bamboo sector in an integrated manner. The Mission has three components, one of which is to develop the 'bamboo handicrafts sector'. The Mission has made significant headway in this direction. A Mid-term Review of the performance of the Mission held in March, 2009 shows that the following achievements have been made.

  • Turnover increase: - The total turnover of the bamboo sector across the identified sub-sectors in the State has increased from the base levels of Rs.27.90 crores in 2007 to Rs.56.56 crores in 2009.

  • Mobilization: - About 7,000 poor producers have been organized across four districts.

  • Livinghoods/Employment: - It is estimated that incremental living hood / employment has been generated for about 3,000 persons.

  • Capacity building: - Over 5,000 artisans and farmers have been trained in various value-added bamboo applications.

  • Technology introduction: - The project has introduced for improved technologies like bamboo treatment, dyeing, use of Japanese juki machines / Taiwanese stick-making

  • machines. Power tools / finishing machines etc.

  • Institution Development: - 12 Cluster-level Federations have been formed and registration of one State level SPV is under process.

  • Design Development: - The project has introduced over 150-new designs in partnership with NID, NIFT and some leading designers.

  • Private Investment: - Private investment of Rs.3 crores has been mobilized for setting up 3-machine stick-making units.

  • Market Linkage: - Direct market linkages with leading retailers (Fabindia, Mother Earth) and industry partners like ITC, Cycle brand, APIL and other Mat board manufactures have been established.

 

Other initiatives:

 

The State Government is setting up an "Urban Haat" in the Agartala City, with the aim of providing a platform for regeneration of local handicrafts products and to create an urban recreation hub. This will provide an attractive platform to local artisans for selling their products. The total project cost is Rs.3 crores, of which 70% is central share and 30% is state share.

 

 

Future plan of action:

 

The initiatives taken under "Tripura Bamboo Mission" for development of cane and bamboo handicrafts shall be pursued vigorously. The Development shall work in close co-ordination with "Tripura Bamboo Mission" so that the sector gets the benefits of synergy.

 

Of late, there has been shortage of bamboo of the species required for handicrafts. Forest Development has taken up a massive programme for regeneration of bamboo resources in the State. In addition, the handicrafts cluster societies has received Rs.69 lakh for taking-up homestead plantation. This programme need to be pursued in a vigorous manner, so that, availability of bamboo for handicrafts does not remain a constraint. This year 49.72 acre of artisans homestead land has been planted bamboo like powrah, bari, mritinga.

 

Source: Economic Review of Tripura 2009-10