From Bamboo to Business: A New Era for Artisans in Dumka and Ribhoi
By fmadmin
From Bamboo to Business: A New Era for Artisans in Dumka and Ribhoi
Project synopsis
The project “Promoting Integrated Bamboo Based Enterprise Development among SAARC Countries,” implemented by FMC, started on March 30, 2017. With a budget of USD 1,098,280 for the India component, the project focuses on Dumka (Jharkhand) and Ribhoi (Meghalaya) clusters, partnering with ESAF and KKSCO to establish Common Facility Centres (CFCs) and support local artisans. NABARD co-funded the project with INR 7.12 million. The combined total budget for all six SAARC countries is USD 5,121,842. The project aims to develop sustainable bamboo-based enterprises, enhancing artisans’ skills and market access.
Objective
The project aimed to promote bamboo-based enterprises to generate income and employment opportunities in India. This objective was to be achieved by enhancing the skills of artisans, improving design and product quality, and facilitating market promotion. Additionally, two Common Facility Centers (CFCs) were to be established in the Dumka and Ribhoi clusters. The project proposed an integrated bamboo development model, addressing opportunities from harvesting to production and marketing. By identifying key stakeholders and their challenges across the value chain, the project intended to create sustainable, high-value economic opportunities, directly improving the quality of life for farmers, artisans, micro and small enterprises, designers, traders, and exporters.
Pre-Intervention Situation
Dumka (Jharkhand) and Ribhoi (Meghalaya) presented contrasting scenarios before the intervention. In Dumka, situated in the plains of Jharkhand, around 7000 full-time bamboo artisans struggled to survive by making traditional products, which were sold through local traders or at weekly markets. Conversely, Ribhoi, located in the hilly terrain of Meghalaya, had around 4000 people living in distant and less accessible villages. For these residents, bamboo-based products were a part-time activity to earn additional revenue.
Most artisans in Ribhoi focused on creating food products from bamboo shoots, primarily for self-consumption or for seasonal local sales.
Artisans in these regions faced significant challenges, including a lack of access to quality bamboo, limited market linkages, and inadequate training. This resulted in low-quality products and meagre incomes for the artisans.
Challenges
Dumka’s terrain and access were less challenging, artisans showed higher adoption rates of new skills and techniques. In contrast, Ribhoi faced more logistical challenges and required more time for the artisans to adapt to new methods and technologies., hence the level of willingness and effort to transform the situation of artisans working on bamboo was much less at Ribhoi, as compared to Dumka.
Approach Taken by FMC
FMC, in collaboration with local partners ESAF in Dumka and KKSCO in Ribhoi, established Common Facility Centers (CFCs) to provide artisans with access to machinery, quality bamboo treatment, and training programs.
The approach involved setting up central and satellite CFCs tailored to produce high-end and low-end bamboo products, such as lamp shades, furniture, baskets, and pickles.
Key activities included training artisans on advanced techniques, introducing business development service providers (BDSPs), and creating market linkages with major buyers like IKEA and Amazon.
Impact and Outcomes
The intervention led to a substantial increase in the income of artisans. In Dumka, 98% of beneficiaries doubled their income, while in Ribhoi, 30% of artisans saw a similar improvement.
Over 500 artisans in Dumka and 200 in Ribhoi now utilize quality bamboo for various products, enhancing their market value. The project facilitated the creation of 25 successful entrepreneurs who expanded their operations and employed others, contributing to local economic growth.
Training programs benefited over 762 artisans, equipping them with skills in handicrafts, furniture making, and lifestyle products. These trainings were crucial in improving product quality and diversifying the range of bamboo products available in the market.
Market linkages were strengthened, with artisans now supplying to organized markets and e-commerce platforms. Additionally, the project established a foundation for continuous skill development and market engagement, ensuring the sustainability of the artisans’ livelihoods.
Youngsters are getting attracted to Bamboo and want to take it up as a means of livelihood. At least 90% of people trained under the project undertook Bamboo related work as an income generating source
SUCCESS STORY
Ashok Mouli - From Artisan to Entrepreneur
In the quiet plains of Dumka, Jharkhand, lived Ashok Mouli, a skilled bamboo artisan. Despite his talent, Ashok’s life was a constant struggle. His income was a mere ₹5,000 per month, barely enough to support his family. The inconsistency of his earnings often left him worried about their future.
Ashok’s life took a dramatic turn when he became part of the SDF project. He was selected to attend a training program in Kudal, Maharashtra, a place known for its advanced bamboo craftsmanship. It was a long journey, a two-night train ride away from his home. In Kudal, he was welcomed by KONBAC, an organization renowned for producing high-end bamboo products for Goa and other affluent regions.
During his training, Ashok learned to create intricate items such as lampshades, souvenirs, mats, and even furniture. He discovered the advantages of using pressure-treated bamboo, which significantly reduced product rejections caused by the humid weather. This new knowledge was transformative. The pressure treatment plant for bamboo became a crucial part of the Dumka Common Facility Center (CFC), which Ashok utilized regularly.
The initial phase was challenging. Being away from home and adapting to new techniques was not easy. However, Ashok’s determination saw him through. He spent nearly two months mastering the art of making finely finished furniture. He also underwent training in bamboo construction, forming and training a team of artisans to handle larger projects.
Ashok’s skills and reputation flourished. He began receiving independent contracts and even set up a social media account to advertise his work. His recognition grew, and local government officials took notice of his exceptional craftsmanship. His income soared to between ₹17,000 and ₹20,000 per month.
With his newfound success, Ashok built a concrete house and provided his children with a quality education in an English medium school. His achievements did not go unnoticed in his community. Inspired by his story, many artisans in Dumka began to believe in their potential for prosperity. Today, more than ten new houses stand in Ashok’s neighbourhood, each a testament to his influence and success.
Ashok Mouli’s journey from a struggling artisan to a prosperous entrepreneur is a beacon of hope and inspiration for many. It shows that with hard work, perseverance, and the right support, dreams can indeed come true.
Sumita Devi - Elevating Traditional Craft
Sumita Devi, an artisan from Dumka, always had a knack for bamboo weaving. However, her traditional skills fetched low prices, and her family’s income was barely ₹2,000 per month, barely sufficient to make ends meet. The SDF project’s intervention provided her with advanced training and access to better tools and machinery at the Common Facility Centre (CFC). Sumita learned to create high-value lifestyle products, significantly improving her craftsmanship.
These skills were directly related to the market requirements. She was given a piece that was to be made, so that she could compare for herself the differences, some of which were apparent and others not. Moreover, she was promised a trial order at a much higher price if she succeeded in her trainings. She diligently pursued her trainings.
With the improved quality of her products, Sumita started selling them at better prices to more than one buyer. For instance, a lamp shade she made from untreated bamboo would sell for ₹200, but the same product made from treated bamboo and a much better finish sold for ₹450. Whenever she gets an order more than she can make herself, she distributes the same to her neighbour friends who have also gone similar trainings. She had to create extra space to ensure building an inventory, necessary for meeting the order. Her income increased substantially to ₹8,000 per month, enabling her to build a pucca house and support her children’s education.
Lukas Rynsong - Innovating with Bamboo
Lukas Rynsong from Ribhoi was primarily an agricultural worker, doing bamboo work as a secondary source of income. His income from bamboo work was around ₹3,000 per month. The SDF project introduced Lukas to advanced bamboo processing techniques and the benefits of using treated bamboo. He learned to make high-end bamboo furniture that required treated bamboo to ensure durability. His diversified product range includes lifestyle items and handicrafts.
Through continuous support and training, Lukas’s income from bamboo work significantly increased to ₹10,000 per month. He became a role model in his community, inspiring other artisans to adopt new techniques and improve their incomes. Lukas’s success highlights the potential of combining traditional skills with modern techniques and market linkages.
Meena Damblong - Empowering Women Artisans
Meena Damblong, a skilled handicraft artisan from Ribhoi, faced numerous challenges in selling her products at fair prices. Before the intervention, her monthly income from bamboo products was just ₹1,500. The SDF project provided her with training on product quality and market access, enabling her to improve her craftsmanship and reach new markets.
Meena’s income increased as she started producing and selling high-quality handicrafts, reaching ₹7,000 per month. Meena’s story is not just about individual success but also about community empowerment. She began training other women in her village, helping them to enhance their skills and improve their livelihoods. Meena’s leadership and success have empowered many women in Ribhoi to take up bamboo crafts as a sustainable source of income.