ICAR-CRIJAF organized a jute handicraft making training program for women of Sundarbans region was conducted from 11-16 April, 2022 at ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore under the multinational (Australia, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia) Project on “Protecting ecosystems and livelihoods of the Sundarbans, a World Heritage Site: Assessing the impact of natural hazards on forest and jute-based ecosystems” funded by Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR) & University of Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Though agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people living in the islands of Sundarban due to fragile edaphic and climatic conditions the productivity and income are very low.
To explore the alternative source of livelihood to improve the income of farmers of this remote region, ICAR-CRIJAF has planned multiple programmes including skill enhancement for alternative off-farm income generation of farm women, scientific soil, water and crop management towards the livelihood security and sustainable farming for income generation of the farmers.
During the 6-day training, the expert trainer imparted practical hands-on training to the farm women for making jewelry and other decorative items made from jute fibre.
In the valedictory session, Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR CRIJAF appreciated the quality of products made by the trainees and congratulated them for their successful participation in the programme.
He also gave an insight into the importance of jute-based diversified products in national and international markets. He expressed that the institute will take necessary action to discuss with the state Govt. and other NGOs working in this area to channelize better marketing and price for the jute handicrafts.
Dr. Kar also ensured that the institute will develop suitable programs under different projects to give special emphasis to such activities in the Sundarbans towards self-employment and make the village women self-reliant.
The trainees expressed that the training was very much useful for them which has developed confidence in designing and making jewelry and other items made from jute fibre. The dignitaries distributed Certificates of Participation to all the trainees in the valedictory session.
More than 15 farm women, NGO representatives from the Sundarbans, and other trainers participated in this training. The Gram Trust NGO acted as a link for coordination of the trainees of remote areas of the Sundarbans region.
