Jharkhand ranks first in organic silk production, but not its artisans! largely unskilled manpower of the villages has, however, found solace in Jharcraft that provided them training in jardogi and embroidery work, bamboo art and jewellery making to make them stand on their feet. But the success mantra is now all set to be replicated in a better way.
Women associated with Jharcraft are now being trained in weaving silk fabric and that after producing raw silk in their backyard. About 119 clusters of 11 members each have been formed in Garu and Mahuatand blocks of latehar districts to grow mulberry plants and many more like that are in the pipeline. Jharcraft is providing the growers Rs 10 as stipend for every plant for the first year and Rs 5 the following year.
“We will provide mulberry plants to the members of clusters and also the cocoons. Jharcraft will buy the cocoons, besides providing training in weaving and silk cloth designing. This way, we want to replicate the success achieved in making the women SHGs profitable,” said Dhirendra Kumar, Managing Director of Jharcraft at Mahuatand while addressing hundreds of SHG members, mostly women.
Jharcraft has trained about 2,200 artisans till date and has planned to train 4,000 more by December in different crafts which use raw materials available locally in the two blocks, both considered naxal-affected.The plantation is particularly helpful in making farmers’ earn more as they can grow some intercrops such as turmeric, ginger or vegetables in between the mulberry plants; known as the best host for silk cocoons. Central Tasar Institute would also be roped in for the purpose.
Jharcraft has provided reeling machines powered by solar energy to the SHGs. The machine, named as Samridhi or prosperity, extracts fine threads out of cocoons. It will also work for self reliance of women, who have hardly had any formal education. “I have just started my training in silk reeling. Earlier, there was no job for me, but now I and other members of our group, ‘Kaniz Fatma’ can make Rs 200 to 250 daily. We can now train the others and provide good education and food to our children,” says Salena Bibi, a school dropout of Sannadih village.
latehar DC Aradhana Patnaik echoed the sentiment. “Self dependence is the key and this should come by bringing the unskilled women into production cycle by providing training to them. What I also see is a reducing BPl list in the area as you people would be earning 4,000 to 6,000 rupees every month now. BPl is a blot and comprises those who can do nothing. You are capable now and don’t ask for Indira Awas, old age pension, etc. Only this will bring true independence and empowerment,” said she to the gathering.