Jammu and Kashmir: Product development, skill upgradation to boost willow wicker sector

For the Willow Wicker Project Ganderbal, domain expert having vast experience in working with natural plant fibres -KADAM has been engaged for the development of the cluster.

The project will lead to creation of self -sustaining Producer Company (PC) of the artisans that would be directly linked to the markets.

Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah along with Assistant Director AD Handicrafts Ganderbal today visited the cluster and under took an overall assessment of the project.

He was briefed that skill assessment of at least 150 Artisans has been completed and these artisans are being further involved in product development and skill upgradation trainings.

Under the project 10 Cooperatives of the artisans in the Cluster have been registered and it is expected that more cooperatives would be formed and would be linked with the project in future.

Director during his interaction with the artisans informed that under the guidance of Commissioner Secretary I&C Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, efforts are being made to upgrade the skills of the artisans and provide them with required financial and infrastructural support.

Further under the Willow Wicker Project self-sustainable enterprises of the artisans which would be connected with the markets at both National and International levels would be created.

Further Director H& H Kashmir while appreciating the new products developed in the cluster assured the artisans that marketing avenues in the upcoming events of Khelo India ,Tulip Garden, Delhi Haat would be provided to them. Concluding his visit, the Director expressed his satisfaction with regards to the overall functioning of the Cluster.