From enhancing local products to training programmes, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is trying to promote cottage industries in Uttarakhand through a multi-pronged strategy.
After setting up nearly 30,000 units in the hill state, KVIC has now taken up the task of enhancing entrepreneurs’ skills through new programmes at its training centres at Dehradun and Haldwani. But khadi remains the key focus area for KVIC.
For this purpose, the commission has tied up with various NGOs to launch product development and packaging programmes and also focus on indigenous items like woollen readymade garments, bedcovers, bedsheets and carpets.
For example, Centre for Technology and Development Centre, Sahaspur, a Dehradun-based NGO, has been given the task of developing new honey-based products and enhance packaging for the food-processing sector.
Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Development Board, Dehradun, a state government agency, will develop new designs in ringal, a variety of hill bamboo, using local raw material.
“We have made a new start by working closely with government agencies and NGOs,” said Karnail Singh, the KVIC state director.
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For promoting village industries, KVIC is focusing on carpentry, fruit and vegetable preservation, products of bamboo and its varieties, ayurvedic medicines, processing of cereals and pulses, and ready-made garments.
It has also launched new training programmes in tailoring, soap-making, bee-keeping, candles and other small products. Besides, nearly 283 bio-gas plants have also been set up and 91 more are under construction. KVIC also organises exhibitions in the state.
However, setting up new units is a problem area owing to disinterest and lack of entrepreneurial skills, especially in the hill region. This is reflected on the annual targets also. Scaling down the targets for the year 2009-10 considerably, KVIC now says that it will now set up 1,100 units, against the earlier target of 1,300 units.
But the KVIC has not registered its presence at the district level, where it is working only with the help of the state-owned district industrial centres (DICs). The state government has now agreed in principle to provide space at all the 13 DICs, where a representative of the KVIC can work.
“This will give us a larger reach to connect with people, especially in the remote areas,” said Singh.