National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) has launched a 15-day Livelihood Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP) on traditional Papier mache craft for SHGs in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district to enable the members to set up their enterprises.
A total of 90 women from various Self Help Groups (SHGs) will undergo the 15-day skill development training on traditional Papier mache craft at the Pahloo area of the district.
The project will focus on skill development training on Papier mache craft and its value addition enabling the members to set up their enterprises, a statement of NABARD said.
Inaugurating the programme NABARD Deputy General Manager Surinder Singh said LEDP is a focused training programme which provides end-to-end support to SHG members to enable them to take up income-generating activities for livelihood.
The programme involves intensive training and handholding on various aspects, including understanding the market, potential mapping and ultimately fine-tuning skills and entrepreneurship to manage the enterprise.
The programme is supported by NABARD and implemented through the NGO VOESEP by engaging master trainers and subject craft experts from the field.
The training will cover all the aspects of Papier mache production, design, prototypes and sessions on marketing, informed NABARD District Development Manager Rouf Zargar.
He informed that the programme shall be held in 3 batches and all the equipment and training material shall be provided free of cost under the project.
The trainees would also be deputed to exposure visits to successful units in Srinagar for learning experience.
NABARD has been supporting artisans and weavers through its grant-based programmes such as mEDP, LEDP, OFPO and cluster-based programmes.
These programmes are ultimately aimed at bringing the craftsmen and artisans together to merge them into off-farm producer Companies.
NABARD also supports successful SHGs and Artisan groups in the marketing of products by sponsoring them to exhibitions and mela within and outside the state. Besides, NABARD has been providing local marketing avenues to SHGs by providing Rural Marts to sell their products in local markets.
