The Hindu Business Line : Nabard aids bamboo craft in Wayanad

In the bid to tide over the present economic and social crises in Wayanad district, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) will give thrust to non-farm sector employment generation, such as bamboo craft, Mr B.S. Shekhawat, the Nabard Chief General Manager (Kerala Circle), said.

Addressing the valedictory function of Nabard-assisted training programme for establishing various units for bamboo craft in the district , Mr Shekhawat said that the bank had identified bamboo as a focus area for non-farm sector development in the country.

The bank has already formulated a bamboo policy and evolved financial packages for promoting bamboo cultivation, manufacture of value added products and marketing of the products.

The craft training programme in Wayanad, implemented by Uravu, a local NGO, envisaged upgrading local processing skills through the introduction of machinery. A machine room has been set up at Uravu to function as a common facilities centre for the various craft groups.

Under the programme, a pool of master trainers in bamboo craft has been created through a one-year trainers' training programme. The trained master crafts persons would assist local artisan groups to establish decentralised micro enterprises.

The major beneficiaries of the programme have been rural women belonging to disadvantaged social groups, including tribal communities. Mr Shekhawat also distributed certificates to the trainees who successfully completed the training programme.

He said that the Nabard would expand the scope of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund to cover watershed development programmes and social sector projects. Initiatives of local self-government institutions, NGOs and also individuals would be considered for assistance.

Mr P.S. Radhakrishnan, the Area General Manger of Nabard, Wayanad, also participated in the programme.

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