Kos Zhasa
NIFT’s social consciousness is markedly felt in its cluster development project that aims at alleviating poverty levels at the grassroots level by establishing a large number of micro-enterprises in the rural areas, building upon the potential of the rural poor. It is an effort of the government of the India towards offering a holistic programme covering all aspects of self-employment
NIFT has been instrumental in implementing various projects for empowerment and inclusion of people at all levels, through sustaining cultural diversity and enhancing local employment potential. NIFT has a unique combination of in-house designing, development initiative cell, project management, skill and technology upgrading capabilities.
Cluster development Initiative of NIFT under the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY) scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India is a significant step in this direction. SGSY scheme aims at establishing a large number of micro-enterprises in the rural areas, building upon the potential of the rural poor. It is an effort of the Government of India towards offering a holistic programme covering all aspects of self-employment such as organization of the poor into self help groups (SHGs), training, credit, technology, infrastructure and marketing. The programme has been designed to provide proper support and encouragement to tap the inherent talents and capabilities of the rural poor.
The key features of the initiative
• The cluster initiative is based on alleviating poverty levels of the identified clusters by provision of necessary skills and resources.
• Self-sustenance of the identified cluster under the initiative through training and skill up gradation.
• The initiative aims to provide the clusters with training modules built to generate access to quality data and market driven strategies.
• To increase incomes by 15-20 percent for existing SHG’s and generate employment for unemployed artisans.
• Increased revenue of up to 50 percent in the third year with substantial training and awareness to available markets.
• Development of existing markets through active participation and penetration of newer markets through participation and interaction with various partner agencies, trade shows, exhibitions, etc.
• The revenue model also provides for revenue generation to NIFT through royalty and design development/consultancy charges.
• Development of new products that are in sync with market requirement in terms of design colour, silhouette, aesthetics, functionality and quality.
• Facilitating the spread of the entrepreneurial spirit through participation in training programmes, access to capital and management/design workshops.
Target Market Segmentation
• International Designers
• Indian Designers
• Hi-Fashion Buyers
• International Apparel Brands
• Domestic Apparel Brands
• State and Central Emporia
• Departmental Stores
• Fairs & Exhibition
• Local market Places
NIFT has identified five craft clusters and operationalised the project in five centers of NIFT
State Cluster NIFT centre
West Bengal Birbhum Kolkata
Gujarat Surendranagar Gandhinagar
Kerala Kozhikode Chennai
Kamataka Hampi Bangalore
Madhya Pradesh Dhar New Delhi
The project aims to transfer and disseminate technology, information and skill resident with the initiative to the grassroots level, thereby uplifting the living standards of BPL families. It is very important that the whole effort is made into one brand which has a rich story to tell, quality product to offer, and can be capitalized by the artisans for years to come for a meaningful living.
This cluster Development SGSY scheme have been -submitted to the Government of the Nagaland a few months back. The Govt. if sincere in its efforts of alleviating poverty levels at grassroots level and provide employment opportunities to the people, should make a serious effort of implementing this project.
(Kos Zhasa is s Fashion Designer and Member Board of Governors, NIFT)
