- Taking a holistic approach and looking to the enhanced interest of the stakeholders, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME),
- Has further expanded the reach and support to Artisans, involved in Agarbatti making, and to the Agarbatti Industry, by issuing new guidelines recently.
- Further to its launching the support program on July 30, 2020, the Ministry has looked at all aspects of the industry, beyond just supply of machines for making Agarbatti.
- This includes ensuring supply of inputs and raw materials, the demand for which has increased hugely in the last one year.
The main pillars of the new program are:
- Continuously supporting the artisans through training, raw material, marketing and financial support;
- Working on all aspects of this product, like innovation in the fragrance & packaging, use of new/alternate raw materials like re-usable flowers, coir pith etc., supply of bamboo sticks by closely working with Ministry of Agriculture etc.
- A ‘Center of Excellence’ for this purpose is being set up in FFDC (Flavour and Fragrance Development Center) Kannauj;
- Setting up 10 clusters with proper marketing linkages under SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) scheme of the Ministry of MSME at a total cost of about Rs. 50 Crs,
- To benefit about 5000 artisans for their sustainable employment and enhanced earnings;
- Strengthen the machine manufacturing capability to achieve self-sufficiency in the country and develop various other products by setting up ‘Centers of Excellence’ with IITs/NITs etc. at a cost of Rs 2.20 crore.
- Under the expanded program announced recently, 400 Automatic Agarbatti making machines as against 200 earlier, and
- Additional 500 pedal-operated machines will be given to ‘Self Help Groups (SHGs)’ and individuals through 20 pilot projects, across the country with proper marketing and raw material supply tie-ups.
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), one of the statutory organizations, under the Ministry, will implement the program and will handhold the artisans & SHGs with proper backward & forward linkages and needful support.
- These projects, will give boost to the Agarbatti industry and help in further building indigenous capability in all areas of Agarbatti manufacturing with increased exports, and enhanced employment opportunities to the Artisans and entrepreneurs