Balasore: Manufacture of jute-based products has helped over 100 members of women self-help groups in this district earn their livelihood. According to reports, the Odisha government is providing various assistances to women self-help groups under Mission Shakti to establish small units and manufacture jute-based products for a livelihood. This initiative has prompted around 30 members of seven self-help groups in Madalpada village to form a manufacturing cluster and use jute and its products as their source of livelihood.
The members of this cluster, known as ‘Ishwar Utpadak Goshthi’, are into the business since 2019. They took training in manufacturing of jute products. They are now making attractive and beautiful articles for domestic use like door-mats, dining table sets, various types of toys, wall-hangings, bags and pen stands and earning handsomely by selling them at exhibitions and trade fairs conducted by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), Mission Shakti and in important festivals.
The price of these products ranges from Rs 10 to Rs 400. Women are taking time out of their domestic schedule and engaging themselves in this work and earning around Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 per month. The state-owned agency ORMAS with funds provided by the Odisha government from CPIV fund has helped these women sharpen their skills as expert artisans.
Funds worth Rs 12.5 lakh from MGNREGS has also been sanctioned to ORMAS to construct a workshed for the women artisans, president Jayanti Behera and secretary Kumudini Pakal said.
Jeetndra Kumar Biswal, chief executive officer (CEO) of ORMAS in Balasore district, said that stress is being laid on making bags, office stationery and home decoration items from jutes after the state government imposed restrictions on use of polythene The jute products are put on display in various fairs and extensive publicity is being done to promote the products among the people.
Over 100 women belonging two manufacturing clusters have become skilled artisans after undergoing training in manufacture of jute products. Directed by the state government, Balasore Collector K Sudarshan Chakraborty is expediting launch of an e-platform to make the products available to international customers.
