Empowering Women Artisans as Government Pushes for Jute Industry Growth

New Delhi, Jul 10 (KNN) In a significant move to bolster non-farm sector livelihoods, the Ministry of Rural Development's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) convened a crucial webinar on Jute Craft on Tuesday.

The event brought together key stakeholders from various facets of the jute industry to deliberate on its current status, challenges, and future prospects.

Additional Secretary for Rural Livelihoods, Charanjit Singh, emphasised jute's dual potential as a 'Golden Fiber' for livelihoods and a 'Green Fiber' for environmental sustainability.

Singh urged participants to focus on reducing production costs and enhancing marketing efforts to elevate jute craft's status. He linked these efforts to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of creating 'Lakhpati Didis' (women earning lakhs), highlighting jute's potential in boosting rural incomes.

The webinar, introduced by Rajeshwari SM, Director at the Ministry of Rural Development, served as a platform for experts and practitioners to share insights on technological advancements, market strategies, and the experiences of women artisans in the field.

Kishan Singh Ghughtyal, Joint Director of the National Jute Board, outlined government initiatives promoting jute craft. He emphasised the role of advanced technology in reducing labour intensity and diversifying jute products.

Adding depth to the discussion, Tamal Sarkar, Senior Advisor at the Foundation for MSME Cluster, shared valuable insights on cluster interventions in jute crafts.

Anjali Singh, an artisan and entrepreneur, provided a ground-level perspective on the opportunities and challenges faced by women artisans in jute craft marketing and promotion.

The webinar underscored the historical significance of the Indian jute industry, particularly in the eastern regions. Jute, a cash crop cultivated in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura, has long been a cornerstone of the local economy, with jute mills playing a pivotal role.

This event marks a significant step in recognising and harnessing the potential of jute as both an economic driver and an eco-friendly resource.

As the industry faces modern challenges, such initiatives reflect the government's commitment to revitalising traditional crafts while aligning them with contemporary market demands and sustainability goals.

The focus on empowering women artisans and entrepreneurs in the jute sector aligns with broader national objectives of rural development and gender equality.

(KNN Bureau)