17 Jun 2022 Handicrafts and One District One Product Scheme
Handicrafts and One District One Product Scheme – Today Current Affairs
- Recently the Ministry of Textiles inaugurated ‘Lota Shop’ at the National Crafts Museum, New Delhi.
- This shop was opened by Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited (CCIC), which is known as Central Cottage Industries Emporium.
- It displays the finest handicrafts, souvenirs, handicrafts and textiles based on the traditional craft forms of India.
- The government also reiterated that it is working towards ‘One District One Product’ which will give impetus to the handicrafts sector as well as the artisans.
Today Current Affairs
One District One Product:
- ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to enable districts to consume their full potential, promote economic and socio-cultural development and generate employment opportunities especially in rural areas.
- It was launched in January, 2018 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, and later adopted by the Central Government due to its success.
- This initiative is taken by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce along with the ‘Districts as Exports Hub’ initiative.
- The ‘Districts as Export Hub’ initiative provides financial and technical assistance to district level industries to help small scale industries and provide employment opportunities to the local people.
Purpose : The Hindu Analysis
- Its objective is to identify, promote and brand the product of a district.
- To transform every district of India into an export hub through promotion of the product in which the district specializes.
- It envisions to accomplish this by promoting manufacturing, supporting local businesses, locating potential overseas customers and so on, hence helping to achieve the vision of ‘Self-reliant India’.
Status of Handicrafts Sector in India : The Hindu Analysis
- Handicrafts are those goods which are manufactured on a large scale using simple tools rather than production methods and tools. While similar to basic arts and crafts, there is a significant difference with handicrafts.
- These goods produced as a result of various efforts are designed to maintain the beauty of nature along with a specific function or use.
- The handloom and handicrafts industry has been the backbone of India’s rural economy for decades.
- India produces wooden utensils, metal wares, hand printed garments, embroidered wares, zari wares, imitation jewellery, idols, pottery, glassware, attar, incense sticks etc.
Business : The Hindu Analysis
- India is one of the largest handicrafts exporting countries.
- In March 2022, the total handicraft exports from India excluding handmade carpets stood at US$ 174.26 million, an increase of 8% over February 2022. The total export of Indian handicrafts during the year 2021-22 stood at US$ 4.35 billion, a growth of 25.7% over the previous year.
Importance of this area:
Largest employer : The Hindu Analysis
- It is one of the largest employment generators after agriculture, providing a major means of livelihood to the rural and urban population of the country.
- Handicrafts is one of the most important sectors in the Indian economy, employing more than seven million people.
Eco-Friendly : The Hindu Analysis
- The sector operates on a self-sustaining business model, in which craftsmen often produce their own raw materials and are known to be pioneers of eco-friendly zero-waste practices.
Challenges : The Hindu Analysis
- Artisans face challenges like non-availability of funds, low access to technology, lack of market knowledge and poor institutional framework for development.
- In addition, the sector suffers from inherent contradictions in handmade products, which are generally contrary to the scale of production.
Factors supporting the growth of this sector:
Government Schemes : The Hindu Analysis
- The Central Government is actively working towards developing the industry to maximize its potential.
- Launching of several schemes and initiatives is helping craftsmen to overcome the challenges they face.
Rise of Dedicated Trading Platforms : The Hindu Analysis
- Few platforms like Craftezy have emerged that provide much needed support to Indian artisans in the domestic and global markets.
- These global handicrafts trading platforms act as a free supplier induction process and it aims to give India an organized image in the global market.
Using Technology for Inclusion : The Hindu Analysis
- Technology which can help in crossing boundaries has proved to be a boon for the handicrafts industry.
- E-commerce has opened doors for seamless access to consumer goods and has enabled inclusive growth as all manufacturers in any part of the world can showcase their products through these online platforms.
- Even social media platforms are helping a lot in marketing Indian handicrafts globally.
Export vs. Import : The Hindu Analysis
- In the last five years, the export of Indian handicrafts has grown by more than 40%, as three-fourth of the handicrafts are exported.
- Indian handicrafts are mainly exported to over a hundred countries and the US alone imports almost a third of India’s handicraft exports.
Changes in the Behavior of Artisans : The Hindu Analysis
- Increase in income as artisans adapt to new skills to create products that meet new market demands.
- Thus, due to the introduction of technology and its easy use, there has been a significant change in the behavior of sellers and buyers of handicrafts.
Related Government Initiatives:
Ambedkar Handicrafts Development Scheme : The Hindu Analysis
- To support artisans with their infrastructure, technology and human resource development needs.
- The objective of the scheme is to organize artisans into self-help groups and societies with an agenda of facilitating bulk production and economy in the purchase of raw materials.
Mega Cluster Scheme : The Hindu Analysis
- The objective of the scheme includes employment generation and improvement in the standard of living of the artisans.
- The program follows a cluster-based approach in augmenting infrastructure and production chains, especially in handicraft centers in remote areas.
Marketing Support and Service Plan : The Hindu Analysis
- The scheme provides intervention in the form of financial assistance to artisans for domestic marketing programs that help them organize and participate in trade fairs and exhibitions in the country and abroad.
Research and Development Plan : The Hindu Analysis
- The initiative was launched to generate feedback on the economic, social, aesthetic and promotional aspects of crafts and artisans in the region, with the objective of supporting the implementation of the above schemes.
National Handicraft Development Programme : The Hindu Analysis
- The important components of this program are surveying, upgradation of design and technology, development of human resource, providing insurance and credit facilities to artisans, R&D, infrastructure development and marketing support activities.
Comprehensive Handicraft Cluster Development Scheme : The Hindu Analysis
- The vision of this scheme is to enhance the infrastructure and production chain in handicraft clusters. In addition, the scheme aims to provide adequate infrastructure for production, value addition and quality assurance.
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts : The Hindu Analysis
- The main objective of the Council is to promote, support, protect, maintain and enhance the export of handicrafts.
- Other activities of the Council include dissemination of knowledge, providing professional advice and assistance to the members, organizing delegation visits and fairs, providing liaison between exporters and the Government and conducting awareness workshops.
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Plutus IAS Daily Current Affairs Eng Med 17th June
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