Ganderbal, Dec 12 (KNN) The Willow Wicker Skill Up-gradation Centre was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shyambir Singh at Kachan in Jammu and Kashmir.

The centre will help enhance the learning techniques for willow wicker trainees. This initiative falls under the Karkhandar scheme, aimed at fostering skill development and empowerment within the community.

The Willow Wicker Skill Up-gradation Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and expert trainers dedicated to imparting advanced techniques and knowledge to the trainees to provide hands-on training to bolster the proficiency of willow wicker artisans in the district.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Assistant Director Handicrafts & Handloom Ganderbal, Zahid Rashid, besides local artisans and trainees.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC underscored the importance of skill up-gradation in ensuring the continued growth and competitiveness of traditional Willow Wicker craft in the contemporary market. He said that district administration is expanding marketing linkage to the willow wickers so that their product is exported to other countries.

Shyambir urged the artisan and trainees to hone their skills and make full use of the centre which is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and expert trainers to produce quality products.

The Karkhandar scheme is a government initiative focused on the comprehensive development of traditional crafts and artisan communities, fostering skill up-gradation, economic empowerment, and cultural preservation.

Under this scheme, the master artisan is provided a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,000 per trainee per month, besides Rs 25,000 for logistics and support. Trainees are also provided a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000.

(KNN Bureau)