Chümoukedima, June 1 (KNN) Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN), Guwahati is organising a 30-day long training cum workshop programme for 25 bamboo handicraft artisans at the Bamboo Resource Centre, Chümoukedima, Nagaland.

The programme is supported by EXIM Bank and it began on May 30. 

It aims to impart training to develop new products with modern techniques and improve the quality of products through product diversification.

Through this workshop artisans will receive help to understand and comply with international quality and safety standards for bamboo products and to ensure that Indian bamboo products meet international buyers' requirements and are competitive in the global market.

Nukzo Phesao, Proprietor, Warehouse 103, founder of Nature Fuel India and co-founder of Pristine Food in his address shared about his personal journey as an entrepreneur especially in food processing domain.

He explained how different products are interconnected and has common use in the supply chain; citing an example where Bamboo craft product is use for serving and storing of food processed items etc. 

Phesao further stressed on the need to maintain product quality at competitive price, besides giving special attention to business networking and about product promotional and marketing strategy. 

While talking about the various challenges in this modern competitive market scenario he encouraged the craftsmen Artisans to be innovative and strive hard to become better and progressive in their chosen field.  

Extending support to the artisans, EXIM Bank General Manager, Dharmendra Sachan said, “Nagaland, a landlocked state in the north eastern region of India, is known for its bamboo handicrafts. Bamboo artisanal activities have been an integral part of Indian culture and heritage for centuries.

Sachan further said, “Support for bamboo handicraft artisans of Nagaland is a step towards skill development with product diversification. This is a step towards creating employment opportunities for local communities and enhancing the income of artisans engaged in the bamboo sector.”

Highlighting on the bank, he said that Export Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) assists artisans, master craftsmen, weavers, clusters, self-help groups, and grassroots and micro enterprises through capacity building and sourcing overseas buyers/distributors, under its Grassroots Initiatives and Development (GRID) and Marketing Advisory Services (MAS) programmes. 

The Bank extends support and promotes grassroots enterprises by providing specific interventions such as skill development, product development, and export readiness.

The assistance under these programmes has enabled financial empowerment, employment generation, promotion of entrepreneurship among individual artisans, and ensuring the survival and sustenance of centuries-old traditional handicraft and handloom products.

Jaideep Das, Deputy Director RGVN, Guwahati gave a brief introduction about the purposes of the training workshop and its relevance in skilling bamboo craft artisan.

Utpal Dutta, RGVN Deputy Director (HR) presented a brief account of RGVN as National level organization and highlighted its various development programs being undertaken by the organization across the country.  (KNN Bureau)