GUWAHATI: The Centre for Forest-based Livelihood and Extension (CFLE), Agartala, is planning to promote eco-friendly products designed and developed by it through online platforms coupled with an organised network for institutional sales for a greater reach.
CFLE, which functions under the Indian Council of Forest Research and Education, Dehradun, had two years back, developed a low-cost, eco-friendly shaving brush made of panicles of broom grass (Thysanolaena maxima), locally known as Arjun flower, with a bamboo base.
The objective for developing the product was to reduce the use of plastic in making shaving brushes which when disposed was harmful to environment.
“We started marketing the product three months back in a small way to start with and the response has been positive. We have come up with other products like paintbrushes and wall paintbrushes using the same ingredient,” Pawan Kumar Kaushik, regional director of the centre, told The Shillong Times on Wednesday.
Besides, the initiative will also reduce hunting of badgers, short-legged omnivores and a protected species, the fur of which was earlier used in making the bristles of brushes.
As of today, there are five beneficiaries engaged in the production of the eco-friendly brushes, while a group of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala students would be marketing the products.
“There are a few issues however to start with. The beneficiaries tell us that since manpower (most of them are engaged in handicrafts) is short they can supply only a few hundred brushes at a time. As far as marketing is concerned, we are yet to have an organised network. Prior to placing the product in the market, a survey carried out by the NIT students found positive responses from potential users. Now, we are looking at online platforms along with a network to facilitate institutional sales,” Kaushik said.
The product, he said have a huge potential if it is promoted through the right channels.
“The disposable shaving brush, which will have a life cycle of at least eight months from the first day of use, will definitely find takers in high-end hotels, resorts, salons and spas
The cost of manufacturing a well-designed shaving brush would come up to Rs 15. “One of my beneficiaries recently sold a piece for as high as Rs 70, which indicates that consumers prefer such eco-friendly products. This augurs well for the other brushes as well. Since we are a research based organizations, improvement of the products developed would be based on consumer feedback and hence a continuous process,” Kaushik said.
“Once the project is supported by a full-fledged marketing network along with an established production base, over 100 families would find employment in Tripura, to start with,” he said.
Asked about any plans to support farmers in a state like Meghalaya where broom grass and bamboo are abundantly grown, the regional director said, “We are open to supporting a resource-rich state like Meghalaya if there is any invitation. Workshops on value addition, provide skills training and introduce capacity building courses can be conducted.”