Current Situation of Handicrafts and Artisans:

Employment and Demographics:
India's handicraft industry is a major source of employment, especially in rural regions. According to the Handloom Census 2019-20, approximately 3.5 million handloom workers are employed across the country, with a significant proportion being women.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1806546&utm_source=chatgpt.com®=3&lang=1
In West Bengal, there are about 550,000 artisans engaged in various handicraft activities.

Contribution:
The handicraft sector contributes substantially to India's export earnings and provides employment to a vast segment of craftsperson’s in rural and semi-urban areas. However, artisans often receive a minimal share of the economic benefits, leading to income instability and perpetuation of poverty.
source: https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/income-instability-among-artisans-in-south-asia

Access and Competition:
Artisans face declining demand for handmade products due to competition from mass-produced items. Limited access to markets further exacerbates their economic instability.
source : https://www.ksgindia.com/blog/rural-craft-in-india.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Policy and Institutional Support: The sector suffers from a lack of coherent policies and clear ministerial responsibilities, hindering the promotion and preservation of traditional crafts.
Source: https://ruralhandmade.com/blog/obstacles-encountered-by-handicraft-businesses-in-executing?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Resource Constraints: High prices of raw materials and insufficient funding impede artisans' ability to sustain and grow their craft businesses.
Source: https://www.boontoon.com/blog/revival-of-our-handicrafts-industry/

Skill Preservation: Preserving traditional knowledge and skills is becoming increasingly challenging, threatening the continuity of indigenous art forms.
Source: https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/10052/challenges-to-revival-of-handicrafts-in-india Initiatives in West Bengal:

Old Age Pension Scheme: The Directorate of MSME in West Bengal provides a monthly pension of INR1,000 to about 3,200 handicraft and village industry artisans aged above 60 years, who have no other source of income.
Source: https://wbmsme.gov.in/handicrafts?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Artisan Registration: Efforts are underway to register artisans under schemes like the Pehchan Card, aiming to provide them with official recognition and access to various benefits. Source:https://handicrafts.nic.in/ArtisanData.aspx?MID=SZmOd%2FCrxTo9CHD2XKF+pA%3D%3D&utm_source=chatgpt.com

While the handicraft sector holds significant potential for rural economic growth in West Bengal and across India, artisans continue to face challenges that threaten the sustainability of their crafts. Addressing issues related to market access, policy support, resource availability, and skill preservation is crucial to improving the livelihoods of artisans and ensuring the survival of traditional handicrafts.

Why should we encourage various types of handicrafts in rural areas through our NGO and help artisans with various handicraft-related matters?

Encouraging handicrafts in rural areas and supporting artisans aligns with Devipeeth India Foundation's mission to uplift marginalized communities and promote social and ecological justice. Here’s why this initiative is vital:
Income generation: Handicrafts provide a sustainable livelihood for rural artisans, helping them escape poverty and financial insecurity.
Employment creation: handicraft sector, being labor-intensive, has the potential to generate significant employment, especially for women and youth.
Traditional knowledge: Promoting handicrafts helps preserve and revive indigenous art forms, which are often at risk of extinction.
Cultural pride: Empowering artisans instills a sense of pride in their craft and cultural identity, fostering community cohesion.
Women's participation: Handicraft activities often engage a high percentage of women, empowering them economically and socially.
Skill enhancement: By training women in advanced techniques, NGOs can elevate their role in decision-making and community leadership.
Rural market development: Handicrafts stimulate the local economy by creating markets for raw materials, tools, and finished products.
Tourism opportunities: Handicrafts can attract tourists, boosting the visibility and sales of rural artisans' products.
Sustainable practices: Many traditional handicrafts rely on eco-friendly methods and natural materials, contributing to environmental conservation.
Reducing waste: Encouraging artisans to use recycled or locally available resources minimizes ecological impact.
Preventing migration: Handicraft-based income opportunities reduce the need for rural artisans to migrate to urban areas in search of work.
Youth engagement: Training young people in handicraft skills provides alternative career paths, reducing unemployment in rural regions.
Market access: NGOs can help artisans connect with national and international markets, ensuring fair prices for their products.
Innovation and branding: Assisting artisans in product design and branding enhances the marketability of their crafts.
Supporting policies: Promoting handicrafts complements government programs like the Pehchan Card Scheme and MSME initiatives, amplifying their impact.
Leveraging funding: NGOs can utilize government grants and collaborations to scale handicraft promotion projects.

Through Your NGO
Devipeeth India Foundation’s commitment to empowering artisans has already demonstrated success through initiatives like:
Handicraft projects in Beltala: Training 10 craftsmen in making cloth flowers, garlands, and other items improved incomes and reduced unemployment in the region.
Skill enhancement workshops: These not only boost artisans' proficiency but also diversify their income streams.

By further supporting handicrafts, Devipeeth India Foundation can:
- Empower at least 500 artisans annually through training and financial support.
- Enhance rural economies in Alipurduar district and beyond by creating market linkages.
- Preserve traditional crafts while promoting eco-friendly and sustainable livelihoods.

What factors are hindering the growth of artisans and causing major problems for artisans?

Artisans in India, particularly in rural areas, encounter several challenges that impede the growth and sustainability of their crafts. Key factors include:


Lack of Market Intelligence: Artisans often lack access to market information, leading to a mismatch between their products and consumer demand.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/lack-of-access-to-markets-plagues-rural-artisans/articleshow/50169669.cms
Dependence on Intermediaries: Without direct access to markets, artisans rely on intermediaries, which can reduce their profit margins.
Income Instability: Many artisans face irregular income due to fluctuating demand and lack of financial planning.
Limited Access to Credit: Artisans often struggle to obtain formal credit, hindering their ability to invest in quality materials or expand their businesses.

Digital Illiteracy: A significant number of artisans lack digital skills, preventing them from leveraging e-commerce platforms to reach broader markets. High logistical costs and a lack of digital know-how are some factors keeping Indian artisans out of e-commerce.
Source: https://idronline.org/article/ecosystem-development/indian-artisans-are-still-missing-from-e-commerce-platforms/
Operational Hurdles: Many artisans require assistance with tasks such as uploading product photos and navigating online platforms.
Source: https://catalystaic.org/artisans-in-india-and-their-quest-for-growth-understanding-the-current-set-of-capabilities-among-indian-artisans-to-adopt-digital-technology-solutions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Lack of Formal Education: Artisans often lack formal education and awareness of their rights, making them susceptible to exploitation by traders. “The Craft of Clay Doll Industry and Socio-Economic Scenario: A Case Study of Artisan Community-West Bengal, India (80892)’’
Source: https://acss.iafor.org/presentation/submission80892/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Limited Training Opportunities: Inadequate access to training restricts artisans' ability to improve their skills and adapt to market trends.

Work-Family Interface: Women artisans face challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities, which can limit their participation in the craft sector.
Source: https://ajmjournal.com/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Asian+Journal+of+Management%3BPID%3D2017-8-2-14&utm_source=chatgpt.com

Lack of access to markets plagues rural artisans: Lack of access to markets, absence of market intelligence, quality issues and mismatch between products and demand plague rural artisans in West Bengal, says Shashank Shah of Harvard University South Asia Institute (SAI).



Lack of Awareness about Government Programs: Many women artisans are unaware of governmental support programs that could aid their craft businesses.
High Raw Material Costs: The increasing cost of raw materials makes it difficult for artisans to maintain profitability.
Lack of Infrastructure: Inadequate infrastructure, such as workspace and tools, hampers production efficiency.
Absence of Coherent Policies: The handicraft sector suffers from a lack of coherent policies and clear ministerial responsibilities, hindering the promotion and preservation of traditional crafts.
Limited Government Support: Artisans often do not receive adequate support from government schemes aimed at promoting handicrafts.

How is our NGO DEVIPEETH INDIA FOUNDATION facing those obstacles and solving the problems?

Below are the detailed strategies and actions the NGO is implementing to resolve these issues:

Direct Market Opportunities:
- Organizes monthly craft fairs and exhibitions to connect artisans directly with buyers, cutting out middlemen and ensuring artisans retain their full profit margins. Example: During a district craft fair in Beltala, artisans showcased cloth garlands and handmade flowers, leading to bulk orders worth INR1.5 lakhs.
E-commerce and Digital Platforms:
-Collaborating with e-commerce platforms like Amazon Karigar and other craft-focused online marketplaces to expand artisans' reach to national and global buyers.
Branding and Marketing Support:
- Assists artisans in creating appealing product packaging and branding, emphasizing their cultural and ecological uniqueness.
Government Scheme Awareness:
- Conducts workshops on accessing financial assistance from government programs like the Pehchan card, Mudra loans, and Artisan Credit Cards. -Outcome: 60% of the attendees successfully applied for benefits, improving their access to subsidized credit.
Promotion of Traditional Crafts:
- Organizes cultural events showcasing the rich heritage of crafts like shola art, cane weaving, and handloom textiles. -Impact: Increased visibility of local crafts has attracted attention from buyers in urban areas and even international markets.
Product Innovation:
- Provides design training to artisans to blend traditional art with contemporary styles that appeal to modern consumers.
Raw Material Bank:
- Plans to establish a *centralized resource center* to supply raw materials like yarn, bamboo, and dyes at subsidized rates. -Pilot Project: Expected to start in the Alipurduar district by 2025.
Sustainability Practices:
- Trains artisans to utilize eco-friendly alternatives and locally available resources, reducing their dependency on expensive or imported materials. *Example:* Encouraged artisans to use recycled cloth for garlands, reducing production costs by 20%.
Workshops and Training Programs:
- Conducts regular workshops to teach modern crafting techniques, quality improvement, and digital marketing skills. -Achievements: In 2023, 30 artisans received training in innovative techniques for making cloth chains and garlands.
Knowledge Documentation and Transfer:
- Initiated a knowledge preservation project to document traditional crafting methods, ensuring the transmission of skills to future generations. -Example: Created video tutorials on shola art that are now being used for training new artisans.
Policy Advocacy:
- Works closely with government bodies to simplify application processes for artisan welfare schemes.
Awareness Drives:
- Educates artisans about government policies through community meetings and information leaflets.
-Impact: Raised awareness among over 500 artisans in Alipurduar about available financial and skill development programs.
Common Facility Centers (CFCs):
- Plans to set up shared spaces equipped with modern tools for production, storage, and packaging.
-Timeline: First CFC to be operational in Beltala by 2026.
Logistics and Distribution Support:
- Offers logistical assistance for transporting artisan products to urban and international markets.
Gender-Focused Initiatives:
- Implements women-specific training programs to empower them economically and socially.
-Impact: Over 60% of artisans supported in the Beltala project were women, earning an average income increase of 30%.
Engaging Youth:
- Conducts workshops for younger generations to spark interest in crafts and provide entrepreneurial guidance.
-Result: 15 youth artisans have launched their craft-based ventures in 2023.
Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Promotes the use of renewable materials like shola, bamboo, and recycled cloth to minimize environmental impact.
-Example: Trained artisans in creating biodegradable decorations, which are gaining popularity among eco-conscious buyers.
Climate Resilience Training:
- Educates artisans on mitigating the impact of climate change on raw material availability.
Key Outcomes from Devipeeth’s Initiatives
- Income Growth: Supported artisans reported a 30% increase in earnings post-intervention.
- Employment Generation: 10 artisans gained steady employment through the Beltala project, with plans to expand to 50 artisans next year.
- Skill Advancement: 30 artisans trained in advanced techniques have seen their product quality and marketability improve.
- Market Penetration: Artisan products are now being sold in urban and international markets, broadening their customer base.

Devipeeth India Foundation’s efforts to address the challenges faced by artisans are rooted in its mission to empower marginalized communities. By fostering economic independence, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting sustainable practices, the NGO is creating a transformative impact on the lives of rural artisans.