Bhubaneswar, June 17 (KNN) The Odisha Bamboo Development agency (OBDA) has partnered with the State Institute for Development of Arts and Crafts (SIDAC) for setting up research and development centre on bamboo craft in Bhubaneswar. The research and development centre aims to skill traditional bamboo artisans of the state.

The research centre will work in areas like bamboo product innovation, design research and development besides, increasing the productivity and income of bamboo artisans of the state.

Funding for the project will be provided by the Odisha Bamboo Development agency.

As per reports, the initial focus will be on bamboo clusters in five districts of Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Bargarh, Jajpur and Subarnapur.

At least 30 bamboo artisans in each block will be selected for training at the centre.

SIDAC Member Secretary Sisir Kumar Rath said “the craft is currently much localised and not contemporary in nature. Our focus is on product development including proper processing of bamboo to make it last longer and contemporising the product designs.”

“We will empanel a design agency for the purpose and design training will begin in the next 3 to 4 months," he added.

Last year, Directorate of Handicrafts and Cottage Industries and OBDA had signed an MoU of Rs 7 crore to work for the development of bamboo craft and its artisans.  (KNN Bureau)