Sustainable Livelihood Improvement of Marginal Bamboo Artisans by Their Skill up Gradation in Bamboo Mat Designs, Weaving Techniques and Bamboo Art Craft
PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT :
1. Title of the project:
Sustainable livelihood improvement of marginal bamboo artisans by their skill up gradation in bamboo mat designs, weaving techniques and Bamboo Art Craft
2. Experimental work:
a) Awareness campaign: Intestinal phase of the program started with the awareness program into five villages which focused on mobilizing people and giving them the information about the project objectives and activities.
b) Mobilization of artisans and SHG: This awareness program let to mobilizing the artisans group and identifying as what stages and skills they have. We also have formed SHG groups and trained them for the creating of different product which can be sold in the market. The artisans were in the focus of proving them with needed skills up gradation which were the need of hour.
c) Workshops: we have conducted three/four days workshops were we have given them information about bamboo cultivation, bamboo products, the variety of bamboo products, from small scale production to heavy production in the groups.
d) Training: We have given the training to artisans about the bamboo art crafts, mats, daily household usage products and furniture table/sofa/chair etc.
e) Capacity building: We have come to know that the artisans were using traditional methods for producing the products. We have introduced them with the machinery and given them the training how to used it. We have also given them information and training about chemical treatment on bamboo for better and long-lasting life of bamboo products.
f) Formation of artisan’s groups/SHG groups for market linkages: We have formed the artisans groups from different villages. We have given them the information and training about how to run enterprises and SHG. We have given them exposure about investment, account handling, to available them the raw material from the market, how to approach dealers, to sell the products online by using Facebook, whatsapp, instagram.
g) Corporate meetings for market linkages: in this activity we have tried to understand the demands of the market from the corporates and whole sellers. This is vital to understand the need and quality of the product which can sustain in the market with the prize where artisans can make the profit.
h) Technology interventions: To improve the quality of the bamboo mat, better technology in terms of designing and machinery will be provided. This will also ensure greater productivity in shorter duration of time. Tool kit for the bamboo mat weaving will be given to each of the artisans.
Site Selection for processing cum Training Centers :
Processing centre and Training Centers will be established at five selected villages. The villages identified for establishment of processing centres are-
- Kohmara
- Kaneri
- Kokana
- Khoba
- Manditola
Out of 5 villages in first face only 2 centers will be start i.e.
a) Kohamara
b) Khoba.
Identified villages are well connected by the roads. All the villages have bamboo artisans located in their vicinity. The processing centre will be established considering the easy distribution of bamboo and collection of bamboo mats.
The facilities to be provided through small scale bamboo cluster are enlisted below:
- Training Centre: The Training centre offer rural artisans opportunity to get acquainted with various activities involved in the manufacturing of bamboo mat board. The training centre train the youths in bamboo mat weaving techniques and upgrade the skills of traditional artisans. The firsthand experience of operating various machines provided to the artisans through training centre.
- Chemical treatment unit: Bamboo needs chemical treatment to improve its strength and longetivity. Chemical treatment unit have all the facilities for bamboo treatment. Where beneficiaries train to chemical treatment and other process of treatment
- Design centre: Design centre have the professional designers. They engaged in the development of market oriented designs of bamboo mats. All the required facilities made available through this centre for designing needs.
- Primary processing centre: The primary processing of bamboo like stripping the bamboo, colouring, dyeing performed through this centre.
- Manufacturing unit: Bamboo mat board manufacturing unit established. Various types and sizes of bamboo mat boards will be manufactured as per market demand.
3. Detailed analysis of results indicating contributions made towards increasing the state of knowledge in the subject:
| Sr.no | Type of beneficiaries | Kohmara | Khoba | Kaneri | Kokana | Manditola |
| 1 | Bamboo wood artist | 35 | 22 | 72 | 30 | 20 |
| 2 | Bamboo cultivator | 12 | 9 | 20 | 17 | 15 |
| 3 | Bamboo product helper | 33 | 45 | 56 | 41 | 38 |
| 4 | Traditional bamboo artist | 50 | 78 | 68 | 48 | 76 |
| Â | Total | 130 | 154 | 216 | 136 | 149 |
| Â | All total | 785 | Â | Â | Â | Â |
As we found and reached the 785 beneficiaries around five identified villages followed Kohmara, Khoba, Kaneri, Kokana and Manditola nearly all the families have legal status as a bamboo artisan and have permit to avail about 1500 bamboo per year from the forest department at concessional rates. The youth has all the required skills of traditional mat weaving activity but they don’t prefer to engage themselves in it owing to the meager returns. The cost of bamboo has increased but the value of the output is not proportionately increased. The revival of the occupation is possible with advance technology support and value addition to the existing bamboo mats by processing them into bamboo mat and bamboo craft.
About work Sade :
 To trap large market new designs for the bamboo mats will be provided to the artisans. This will be done with the collaboration of various designing institutes.
Basically it was not possible to open worksades at each of village therefore we opened three worksade as per availability and transportation to nearby village. Where beneficiaries can came and learn new techniques and been machinery friendly. Therefore
we had opened three worksades followed as kohmara, Koba and Manditola. This worksade has 20 by 30 place of sade which constitute the bamboo cuter, sharpener, other equipment tools which necessarily used in bamboo factory. This worksade has also chemical treatment unit to processed
About activities :
Awareness campaign: intestinal phase of the program started with the awareness program into five villages which focused on mobilizing people and giving them the information about the project objectives and activities. In the pan four years we conducted Promotion of bamboo Plantation, bamboo art and craft product and its market, bamboo harvesting and cultivation and its available market, this are such topic which we focused and conducted awareness program.
Time line frame work for bamboo Sustainable livelihood improvement of marginal bamboo artisans by their skill up gradation in bamboo mat designs and weaving techniques
Workshops Program :
Workshops are the third phase of project for those who attend the awareness program and willing to be part of this venture to develop their own business skill in the sector of bamboo. we have conducted three/four days workshops were we have given them information about bamboo cultivation, bamboo products, the variety of bamboo products, from small scale production to heavy production in the groups.
In the pan four years we conducted workshops on bamboo Plantation, bamboo art and craft product and its market, bamboo harvesting and cultivation and its available market, this are such topic which we focused and conducted worshop program.
Training Programs :
Training is the fourth phase of project for those who attend the Workshops program and willing to be part of this venture to develop their own business skill in the sector of bamboo. we have conducted 25 days training were we have given them training about bamboo cultivation, bamboo products, the variety of bamboo products, from small scale production to heavy production in the groups.
Training we have given the training to artisans about the bamboo art crafts, mats, daily household usage products and furniture table/sofa/chair etc. Training provided to the artisans for their skill enhancement in mat weaving techniques and designs. Artisans trained in primary processing of bamboo and operating the required machines.
Capacity Building Programs :
As we found and reached the 785 beneficiaries around five identified villages followed Kohmara, Khoba, Kaneri, Kokana and Manditola. Capacity building we have come to know that the artisans were using traditional methods for producing the products. We have introduced them with the machinery and given them the training how to used it. We have also given them information and training about chemical treatment on bamboo for better and long-lasting life of bamboo products.
Technology interventions to improve the quality of the bamboo mat, better technology in terms of designing and machinery provided. This also ensures greater productivity in shorter duration of time. Tool kit for the bamboo mat weaving had been given to each of the artisans.
Formation and Mobilization of groups Artist/ SHG :
Mobilization of artisans and SHG This program let to mobilizing the artisans group and identifying as what stages and skills they have. We also have formed SHG groups and trained them for the creating of different product which can be sold in the market. The artisans were in the focus of proving them with needed skills up gradation which were the need of honor.
SHG and Cluster formation to organize artisans their SHGs formed and these SHGs then combine to form the clusters. This helped in ensuring better bargaining power, support and adequate returns to the artisans. Each cluster has around 10 villages and each village have around 2 to 3 SHGs covering around 200 artisans. Cluster will function as the processing centre. Five processing centres are proposed in the area. As the project expands the number of clusters can be increased.
4. Conclusions summarizing the achievements and indication of scope for future work:
As a result, the product output in the market is severely lacking both in quality and quantity. The quality does not match the international standards. And since the artisans do not have appropriate training and access to modern tools and machinery, they cannot supply large volumes. The gap between the finishing quality and design of the traditional products and the market demand is huge. As a result, the artisans have to sell their products in local markets at low prices resulting in economic loss. On the other hand, the consumer does not get the products as per his/her choice and standard. Hence the supply chain of Bamboo products does not complete.
Program on structures making and Furniture making, Master craftsmen shared their positive feedback and experience in working with solid and small diameter bamboo, new designs, techniques on treatment, joinery and assembling. Master craftsmen learnt the different species and techniques on using them in furniture components development and structural development. They learnt the components making for structures, load testing methods and step by step process on both furniture making and structures making. It was suggested that post training, the team will develop one structure at home using the lessons and practical training undertaken in Gujarat. This training achieved the intended outcome of enhancement of skills of the master craftsmen and ability to impart these skills to other artisans.
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