SHILLONG: The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati has been making gradual progress in enriching and empowering the lives of artisans and commoners alike at the grassroots level.
The IIE has been successfully implementing the cluster development project in the Northeastern states since 2009 and has promoted 23 clusters so far, including two in Meghalaya. The Umden Eri Cluster in Ri Bhoi and the Selsella Cashewnut Cluster in West Garo Hills are examples of successful implementation of the programme by IIE.
To further the programme in Meghalaya, the IIE organised a sensitisation workshop on cluster development, in the city on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, Senior Project Officer of IIE, Hemanta Rabha, said that the Institute is targetting more clusters in the state to ensure village artisans can earn a sustained livelihood.
Among the new clusters proposed in the IIE scheme of things are the Sohryngkham Tailoring Cluster, Chokpot Cane & Bamboo Cluster, Nongpoh Food Processing Cluster and Zikzak & Betasing Handloom Cluster.
Stating that the cashewnut cluster is progressing smoothly, he said, “We have sent a proposal to the Centre for setting up a common facilitation centre. As for the Umden Eri cluster, we have already set up a mini CFC in convergence with the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) scheme.”
He informed that the cashew turnover from Selsella was Rs 26 crore in 2013 which recently shot up to Rs 42 crore.
However, with the state not having any processing unit, the farmers have to sell their products in raw form. “It is sad that the farmers are not able to process the cashew and have to sell the product in raw form because they don’t have any processing unit,” Rabha lamented.
He added that with the setting up of a common facilitation centre, farmers can process, pack and sell their produce across a wider market.
As for Umden Eri cluster, he said there were five natural dyes when the production began in 2009 and has now increased to 27 natural dyes following the intervention of IIE. There are around 400 weavers who are using improved looms.
As for the challenges, Rabha said the IIE was confronted with the problem of acceptance as the artisans prefer to use traditional handloom rather than the improved ones.
A series of motivations talks, training and meetings have been convened to enlighten the farmers to shift to improved handloom.
“Another problem is the delay in release of the state contribution,” he said.
“Last month, we had a meeting with officials of the Industries department under the chairmanship of the Commissioner and Secretary where they agreed to contribute 10 per cent. When a state government contributes 10 per cent, the Centre is willing to contribute the remaining 90 per cent of funds,” Rabha said.
IIE is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and is implementing various cluster development projects through its Regional Resource Centre on cluster development in the North Eastern Region.
