KALPETTA BAMBOO CLUSTER Under Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Govt of India Uravu, Thrikkaipetta P.O Kalpetta Wayanad district, Kerala PIN:673577 DIAGNOSTIC STUDY REPORT Nodal Agency Khadi & Village Industries Commission Govt. of India Technical Agency NABARD Implementing Agency Uravu Indigenous Science and Technology Thrikkaipetta P.O, Kalpetta Wayanad District, Kerala PIN : 673577 Submitted By T.S. Sreekumar Cluster Development Agent
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KALPETTA BAMBOO CLUSTERUnder
Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Govt of IndiaUravu, Thrikkaipetta P.O Kalpetta
Wayanad district, KeralaPIN:673577
DIAGNOSTIC STUDY REPORT
Nodal AgencyKhadi & Village Industries Commission
Govt. of India
Technical AgencyNABARD
Implementing AgencyUravu Indigenous Science and Technology
Thrikkaipetta P.O, KalpettaWayanad District, Kerala
PIN : 673577
Submitted ByT.S. Sreekumar
Cluster Development Agent
CONTENTS
CHAPTER INDEX PAGE NO
Acknowledgement 3
Executive Summary 4
1 Introduction: Bamboo as green gold 7
2 Cluster Profile 13
3 Stakeholders profile 21
4 Production process & Value chain analysis 27
5 Analysis of Business operation 35
6 SWOC Analysis 38
7 Cluster map and Institutional Matrix 40
8 Our Vision 44
9 Suggestions & Action Plan 45
2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study would not have been possible without the active support from
State Directorate of KVIC. I also acknowledge the timely expert guidance
and support from the NABARD who is the Technical Agency for this cluster,
during conduct of the diagnostic study and preparation of the report.
My sincere thanks go to the President and secretary of Uravu and staff
members, especially Smt. Rema K.M. for the wholehearted help and
cooperation in completing the study and preparation of the report. I owe my
gratitude to all those artisans and stakeholders of this cluster for providing
me with every information and data required for the report.
The academic support from nimsme, Hyderabad is also thankfully
acknowledged.
Finally I thank them all those who are involved in the study process directly
or indirectly.
T.S. Sreekumar
Cluster Development Agent (CDA)
Kalpetta Bamboo Cluster
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
For many years bamboo related activities had been one of the traditional
occupation/craft in Kerala. The artisans of this craft are mainly located in
forest area especially in Wayanad district. As they belong to the unorganized
sector the artisans had been exploited by the middlemen. The Uravu
indigenous science and technology study centre, an NGO registered under
the Charitable trust Act (Reg No 122/96:) in 1996 and having its Head
Quarters at Thrikkaipetta, Kalpetta, Wayanad district of Kerala State has
been actively involved in the development of bamboo sector in the past 9
years. Under various interventions Uravu has regenerated this peculiar craft
sector and now more than 500 artisans/person including bamboo cultivators,
cutters and building workers have been working in this sector and earn their
livelihood. With this rich experience, Uravu have decided to take up
development of these scattered units in the nearby village of Kalpetta block
and posed a proposal to Khadi Village & Industries Commission (KVIC). After
a preliminary study and discussion, KVIC has agreed to support the proposal
under SFURTI, its participatory model of cluster development and identified
Uravu Indigenous Science and Technology study centre as Implementing
agency (IA), NABARD as Technical Agency (TA) and, Shri T.S.Sreekumar,
appointed by the IA as Cluster Development Agent from the panel provided
by KVIC.
4
The Study
India has a rich tradition in traditional industries. The eco-friendly products of
traditional industries not only have great potential for growth in production
and export but can also lead to wide spread generation of employment
opportunities in the rural areas of the country. With a view to making the
traditional industries more productive and competitive and facilitating their
sustainable development, the Central government announced a Scheme
SFURTI with the objective to develop clusters of traditional industries in
various parts of the country over a period of 5 years commencing
2005-2006. The Khadi & Village Industries Commission which is the Nodal
Agency identified the Kalpetta Bamboo Cluster in Wayanad district under
SFURTI. Accordingly the study has been undertaken in Kalpetta Bamboo
cluster from 3rd May 2007 to July 2007.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
1) To understand the socio – economic profile of the craft persons.
2) To gain better insight into the problems and issues to be identified and
the potentials for the sustaining livelihood around bamboo in an
environmentally sound manner.
3) To identify and propose priority areas of action and specific issues in
promoting development of bamboo, taking into consideration its
demand profile, whole value chain addition, various players involved in
value addition, socio economic, technological, environmental and
institutional dimensions.
4) To develop a broad strategy framework and guidelines for sustainable
livelihood development around bamboo.
5) To make sure the whole hearted co-operation of all the members in
the production and marketing by developing effective networks.
6) Provide adequate awareness and introduce bamboo products as an eco
friendly alternative for plastic products.
5
7) Physical and financial interventions required for overall development of
the cluster in a period of 5 years.
The major issues, constrains and problems faced by cluster units emerged
during the study were related to infrastructure, Finance, production, market
etc. as summarized below.
• Majority of the producer groups are working in rented buildings. They
have to spend a huge amount from their remuneration for rent.
• The cluster actors are mainly depends on local banks/cooperative
societies for their working capital requirement.
• Market competition from other parts of the country, Competition from
China in export market.
• Non-implementation of effective management system to improve
business performance
Absence of private, public partnership to promote R & D for value added products to explore new markets.
• Migration of artisan to tertiary sector like construction
• Inefficient linkages of the production-consumption chain of the cluster
The market potential of the tourism sector in Wayanad is not effectively tapped.
The existing tools and machineries of the cluster is insufficient to meet large orders.
• Major problem faced by the artisans is absence of raw material storage
facility. During rainy season it is very difficult to keep the raw material
dry and during summer there is need to keep the raw material away
from direct sunlight.
• Due to poor financial health of the group, many times the artisans do not get their wages regularly and in time.
6
CHAPTER 1
Introduction:Bamboo as Green gold
Bamboo is woody grass belonging to the sub-family
Bambusoideae of the family Poacae. Worldwide there
are more than 1,250 species under 75 genera of
bamboo, which are unevenly distributed in the
various parts of the humid tropical, sub-tropical and
temperate regions of the earth. This natural resource
plays a major role in the livelihood of rural people
and in rural industry. This green gold is sufficiently
cheap and plentiful to meet the vast needs of human
populace from the "child's cradle to the dead man's
bier". That is why sometimes it is known as "poor
man's timber". Bamboos has versatile uses as
building material, paper pulp resource, scaffolding,
food, agriculture implements, fishing rods, weaving material, substitute for
rattan, plywood and particleboard manufacture. Pickled or stewed bamboo
shoots are regarded as delicacies in many parts of the country. The major
user of bamboo in India is paper industry, which consumes sizeable
proportion of the total annual production. s are good soil binders owing to
their peculiar clump formation and fibrous root system and hence also play
an important role in soil and water conservation.
Genetic Diversity of bamboo
As already stated, India has 124 species of bamboo
distributed through out the length and breadth of
the country. North-east India supports about 50%
of the total genetic resources which is followed by
peninsular India where the Eastern and the
Western Ghats are located which accounts for
7
about 23% of the genetic resources occurring naturally. North-western India,
Indo-Gangetic plains and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands account for the
remaining diversity. More than 50% of bamboo species occurring in India are
endemic, and roughly 19 species are rare and threatened.
Research work on collection and evaluation of genetic resources of bamboos
started in India in the 1970s, but the pace of work was rather slow. A
provenance trial on Dendrocalamus strictus was laid at Forest Research
Institute, Dehra Dun. This was followed by the work on selection, evaluation
and ex-situ conservation of several economically important bamboos of
north-eastern region at State Forest Research Institute, Itanagar. Under the
aegis of All India Coordinated Research Programme on under-utilized and
under-exploited plants, a beginning was made at the coordinating centre at
Bashar, Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh to collect the available
germplasm from Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya and to evaluate the
material.
Bamboo Utilization
Bamboo is utilized for various purposes depending upon its properties. It
plays an important role in the daily life of people; for house construction,
agricultural tools and implements, as food material and weaponry etc.
Besides being a convenient source of cellulose for paper manufacture and
rayon, it supports a number of traditional cottage industries. Bamboo craft is
one of the oldest of traditional cottage industries in India. The origin of this
rural craft is traced from the beginning of the civilization when man started
cultivation of food crops thousands of years back. People started making
baskets, mats and many other products of household use with bamboo that
was abundantly available in nearby forests. Later, tribal and rural people in
the vicinity of bamboo forest took up this as a means of livelihood. Now
bamboo craft is spread in all rural areas of the country and it feeds millions
of traditional workers.
8
Bamboo is emerging as a major source of raw material for several processed
products primarily due to its fast growth, wide spread occurrence and its
multiple uses. The ten major species used in India for commercial purposes
are Bambusa bambos, B. balcoa, B. nutans, B. tulda, Dendrocalamus
strictus, D. hamiltonii, Melocanna baccifera, Ochlandra ebracteata, O.
scriptoria and O. travancorica.
MARKET AND SOCIO-ECONOMICS
Bamboo Markets
There is a high demand of bamboo in different markets. It is normally
marketed either as commercial or as industrial. The former is produced from
live bamboo culms, which are more than 2.5 m in length. The bamboo
pieces, which are less than 2.5 m. in length, are classified as industrial. of 2
m and 1 m length, known as bahi and sarava, respectively, are sold in the
northern states. However, in most states, with lengths varying from 3 m to 9
m finds use in construction of houses.
Price of commercial bamboo depends on its length and basal girth. The
bamboo Trade Bulletin, a periodical published by ICFRE, gives prices in about
20 markets spread all over India. According to March 1998 bulletin (ICFRE
1998), depending on market location and species, the price of 100 bamboo
of about 3 m length and about 20 cm girth lies between Rs.1500-1600; of
about 5 m length and 20 cm girth between Rs.3500-5000; and of about 6 m
length and 25 cm girth between Rs.5000-6000 (US $1 ~ Rs.42).India has
been exporting s on a large scale. The export of bamboo as raw material is
generally not permitted but value added products are allowed to be exported
as well as imported.
Departmentally harvested bamboo is transported to sale depot for auction
and to different departmental outlets for sale to local people for their
domestic and occupational uses. There are traders and purchasers from
departmental sale depots who convert the s into marketable sizes as per the
9
demand of the consumers. s on private lands are sold to the consumers as
rates are negotiated between producer and consumer. In some states, where
bamboo is a nationalized produce, private producers at standard market
rates sell it to forest departments. However, where bamboo does not come
under state trading monopoly, it is sold by cultivators and growers through
market channels (Singhal and Gangopadhaya, 1999). Information on
different channels of production to consumption of bamboo in different parts
of the country indicating market channels statewise, mode of marketing and
constraints experienced in marketing is given in Table-8.
Bamboo in Kerala
Twenty-eight species of bamboo and two varieties belonging to six genera
are recorded as native of Kerala. These include genera such as Bambusa,
Dendrocalamus, Pseudoxytenanthera, Schizostachyum, Sinarundinaria and
Ochlandra. Besides these, over 10 species such as Bambusa vulgaris, B.
vulgaris var. wamin, B. multiplex, B. polymorpha, B. balcooa,
Dendrocalamus brandisii, D. giganteus, D. longispathus, D. hamiltonii,
Thyrosostachys oliveri, T. regia etc. are cultivated in home gardens and
forest plantations. The majority of bamboos in Kerala are found at an
elevation of 50-1500 m above sea level. The species belonging to the genera
such as Ochlandra, Bambusa and Dendrocalamus are seen extensively
growing in large forest areas as brakes and reed brakes. The species like
Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus are adapted to the dry plains
and hilly tracts. Their distribution is abundant in the most deciduous
forests. Bambusa bambos is generally found at an elevation between 50m –
1000 m and distributed throughout Kerala. Dendrocalamus strictus is
distributed in the forests of Attappady, Nilambur, and Chinnar at an altitude
of 150-750 m above sea level.
10
Industrial Scenario
The global scenario
It is estimated that about 2.5 billion people use bamboo in one form or the
other at the global level. The annual turnover is estimated more than USD 10
billion and this is estimated to shoot up to USD 20 billion by the 2015. China
is the biggest player among the bamboo exporting countries. The total export
value of bamboo products of that country id $550 billion per annum.
Advanced research activities are conducted to utilize bamboo for efficient fuel
generating systems. Networks like the international network for bamboo and
Rattan (INBAR) are functioning at the international level. The Govt oif India
is a signatory to this bamboo network. At the global level, primary processing
and product manufacturing is shifting to a highly mechanized mode.
Bamboo in India
India is the second richest country in terms bamboo genetic diversity with a
total of 136 species under 75 genera. It encompasses about 8.96 million
hectares of forest area, which is equivalent to 12.8 percent of the total forest
cover of the country. The North East India holds the largest tock and
diversity of s next to the N E, the Western Ghats area has the second largest
diversity of s.
Though India has a wide area under, the yield per ha is estimated around 0.4
tonnes, which is very low in comparison to other countries like china,
Malyasia & Costarica etc.
It is estimated that 8 million bamboo artisans are dependent on this craft for
their livelihood. The annual turnover of the bamboo sector in India is
estimated to be around Rs 6505 crores. By and large, this is a totally
unorganized sector and has always been considered from the craft point of
view and if considered other wise, for pulp making only. The livelihood
11
support provided by bamboo to the rural poor and the agricultural sector was
overlooked.
Bamboo craft has been practiced by the north Eastern States for centuries
as their prime livelihood and income source and, in the process, the weaving
skill of the artisans had involved to levels comparable with the craft persons
from high skilled societies like Japan, China etc. though the product diversity
still remains undeveloped.
The Kerala Scenario
In Kerala, 28 species of bamboo are found to occur. The main species found
in Kerala are Bambusa bambos, Ochlandra travancorica, Dendraocalamus
strictus etc. Kerala has a large number of (around 11) types of thin walled
bamboos called reeds mainly of Ochlandra genera, which are used primarily
for weaving purposes by the traditional artisans. Exotic varieties like
Dendrocalamus giganteus, Dendrocalamus brandisii are also cultivated by
farmers in areas like Wayanad district. The Kerala forest bamboo is supplied
to the artisans through State Bamboo Corporation and to the pulp units
through KFD. Unlike the rest of India, 67.3% of the extracted bamboo in
Kerala comes from home gardens rather than from the forest.
It is estimated that there are about a lakh people in the state dependent on
bamboo for their livelihood. Recent data from the Panchayats indicate that
from the early seventies onwards there has been a great drain in the number
of artisans from the sector to semi skilled and unskilled jobs in the tertiary
sectors like construction.
12
CHAPTER 2
CLUSTER PROFILE
History of the cluster:
Till the early part of the 19th century, bamboos s were found abundant in the
forest and home gardens in Kerala. Until recently, every village and almost
every medium/large household used to have its own sufficient stock of
bamboos. Every panchayats had its own bamboo working artisan families
from the traditional communities. It was this traditional family of artisans,
especially from the paraya (SC) community, who satisfied the requirement of
the agrarian economy. Baskets, mats and winnowers were the main items
produced. The artisan used to have direct access to their customers and this
helped them in maintaining the demand supply chain successfully. Bamboo
was also available in the common lands and stream banks, fringes of the
forest areas etc.
The traditional inhabitants of Wayanad are the tribal population. They were
utilizing bamboo for their primary needs of food, shelter, hunting etc. Even
today bamboo is a common item for making huts, temporary sheds, fence
ladders etc. During the 1950’s with the progress in plantation crops, people
from the plains started migrating to Wayanad and in the process settled
down. Significant areas of bamboo forests were destroyed to set up
plantation sites. Along with the settlers came the bamboo working
communities who started weaving items for the new agrarian sector that was
coming up. Since Wayanad district has borders with Tamil Nadu, traditional
bamboo working communities from these areas also settled in selected
pockets.
The main items produced in Wayand are: Baskets/winnowers/mats/rain
guards etc. Since the late 70s there was a boom in the construction sector
and the traditional weaving communities started shifting to this sector. The
higher wages paid by the sector was also an attraction. The shifting from
paddy cultivation to cash crops like papper/coffee/ginger etc. created lesser
13
demand for the bamboo artifacts. The enforcement of the forest laws also
restricted the availability of forest reeds for the communities. The net effect
was that the traditional bamboo-weaving sector came to a crisis.
The newly created affluence of the 90’s from the higher prices obtained for
the cash crops and the awareness on the social stigma attached to the
bamboo artisans distracted the younger generation from taking up the
bamboo work or upgrading the production systems or product diversification.
Entry of Uravu
Uravu Indigenous science and technology study center, a charitable trust,
realizing the wide scope of bamboo, started working in 1996. The core idea
that led to the setting up of Uravu in 1996 was that revitalization of
indigenous science and technology and up gradation of the productive skills
of rural people was necessary for ensuring sustainable development. The
integrated effort of Uravu during the last 10 years could make sustainable
advancements in the bamboo sector in Wayanad district, especially in
propagation of specie suitable for commercial application, treatment of
bamboo, designing and production of bamboo craft, training and setting up of
micro enterprises, marketing etc. The agency is also making efforts for
changes in the policies in favour of increased usage of bamboo.
The studies conducted by Uravu revealed that the involvement of the
communities other than the traditional community is necessary to remove
the stigma attached to the craft. It was one of the reasons for the reluctance
of the new generation in the traditional bamboo community form taking on to
bamboo work. It was rightly observed that modernization and diversification
of the sector with respect to the product and design, technology and
marketing is much needed for the survival and growth of the sector. That
paved way to the ongoing developmental activities in the sector.
Interventions of other Agencies/Departments
14
Since 2003 NABARD sanctioned a project for establishing mother unit and
satellite unit in bamboo sector in the proposed cluster area. Under that
programme 20 craftsmen were imparted one year training as well as a
machine room. In the same year CAPART was given a 6-month skill up
gradation training to other 30 artisans.
Rastriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) is an ongoing project for establishing
Micro Enterprises in the bamboo sector under the programme of the Govt of
India.
Cluster area
The project shall be implemented at Kalpetta
Block in Wayanad District, Kerala State, for a
period of five years. This area consists of
several bamboo artisan families and plenty
of bamboo, which is the very basic raw
material for the craft. The goal of the project
is to ensure the livelihood of the poor rural
artisans through the enhancement and value
addition of bamboo craft/ product.
One of the important characteristic feature
of this district is the large adivasi population,
consisting, mainly of Paniyas,
adiyas, Kattunaykan and
Kurichiyans. Wayand district
stands first in the case of
Adivasi population (About
36%) among other districts in
the state. Wayanad has large
settler population. The Janis
from Karnataka came in the
15
13th century. The Nair’s from Kottayam made an entry in the 14th century and
established their feudal life. They were followed by Muslims. There was large-
scale migration from southern Kerala in the early 40’s. Their hard work and
sacrifice helped them to prosper. On the other hand, the last few decades
have seen the complete marginalization of the indigenous people. Alienated
from their land and victimized by the state, their status is a blot on the
progressive ideals of Kerala Society. Syrian Christians, who came in the
1950’s from Travancore, were well established as plantation crops. Chola
Naickens, who used to be proud people, were very hospitable to early
settlers are now the worst affected, under abject poverty.
In recent times Wayanad is struggling to deal with an agrarian crisis
precipitated by the economic reforms. The farmer suicides of Wayanad have
hit the headlines of national dailies along with that in other part of the
country. It is witnessing to frequent farmer agitation for resolving the issue
of debt trap, low prices for agricultural produces etc. Due to various
problems, from the early seventies onwards there has been a great drain in
the number of artisans from the bamboo sector to semi skilled and unskilled
jobs in the tertiary sector like construction etc.
Presently most of the cluster actors are concentrated in Kalpetta Block area.
But there is a scope for spread out to the whole district in a phased manner.
Therefore, it is suggested that the cluster development activities may be
concentrated in Kalpetta Block in the first phase and gradually extended to
the other parts of the district as more actors turn up in those area as part of
the training conducted under different programs and projects.
Socio economic status of the cluster actors
A baseline survey in order to identify the socio economic background of the
bamboo craft/workers in Kalpetta Block was made according to the guidelines
provided by the Technical Agency (NABARD office). The survey was mainly
concentrated in Meppadi, Muttil, Vythiri, Kaniyambatta panchayats and one
municipality. Prior to the survey CDA was conducted Focus Group
16
Discussions in each unit. Among the 500 stakeholders 120 person were
selected as random sampling and through direct interview and questionnaire
the information were collected. The details of the survey are as follows.
.
(i) DISTRIBUTION OF THE TYPE OF HOUSE OF BAMBOO WORKERS
The Table explains that out of the 120 houses, only 14.6% are good houses.
Others are either kacha type or incomplete. This shows the low standard of living of
these artisan/worker.
Type of House Number of Houses Percent
Pucca 17 14.66 Kacha 86 71.66
Incomplete 17 14.66 Total 120 100
(ii) DISTRIBUTION OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SANITARY TOILETS FOR BAMBOO WORKERS
From the table, it is clear that only 72.5 percent of the bamboo workers having
sanitary toilets. Others are relying upon the open space for toilet facility.
(iii) DISTRIBUTION OF THE AVAILABILITY OF DRINKING WATER
FOR BAMBOO WORKERS
The table shows that out of the 120 houses, only 25% have their own drinking
water source in their compound. The rest have to depend upon the public water
distribution system or on the neighbor’s well.
Toilets Frequency PercentNo 33 27.5Yes 87 72.5
Total 120 100
Water Source Frequency PercentOwn source 30 25
Neighborhood Source 33 27.5Public Tap 57 47.5
Total 120 100
17
(iv) DISTRIBUTION OF THE AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRICITY CONNECTION TO THE HOUSES OF BAMBOO WORKERS
The table analyses the availability of electricity connection in
houses of the bamboo workers. Out of the 120 houses surveyed, only 71
houses are electrified. The rest 49 are depending upon kerosene for
lighting at night.
Electricity Frequency PercentNo 49 40.83Yes 71 59.17
Total 120 100
(v) COMMUNITY BASED DISTRIBUTION OF BAMBOO WORKERS
Following table shows that 40% of bamboo workers belongs to the SC/
ST community.
Community Number of craft persons Percent
General 19 15.83 OBC 53 44.17 SC 11 9.17 ST 37 30.83
Total 120 100.0
(v) DISTRIBUTION OF THE EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF BAMBOO WORKERS
The table shows that out of the 120 bamboo workers, 5 are illiterate
and 34 persons have studied only up to the primary level. Only 2
persons have reached the graduation level.
Educational Status Frequency PercentLiterate 5 4.17Illiterate 6 5Primary 34 28.33
Secondary 52 43.33Higher Secondary 21 17.5
Graduate 2 1.67Diploma 0 0Total 120 100
18
(vii) DISTRIBUTION OF THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY OF BAMBOO WORKERS
The table analyses the size of the family of bamboo workers. Out of the 120
families, 65 are having only 4 or less than 4 members and 55 families have
members between 5 to 9 members.
Size Frequency Percent1 0 0
2-4 65 54.17 5-9 55 45.83
10-15 0 0 Total 120 100.0
(vi) DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL LAND POSSESSED BY BAMBOO
WORKERS
From the table, it is clear that 22.5 percent of the bamboo workers have no
There are more than 500 producers who make bamboo products through
SHG/producers group. Among them the traditional bamboo workers are
unorganized. They are producing the products their own way and selling
those items in village level. The producers belong to poor, marginalized
families, more than 80% are women About 75% of the producer group have
made contracts with Uravu and Uravu Eco link Ltd for the supply of raw
material and buy back the products as well as participating in the exhibition
and direct marketing.
Product Range
The cluster actors are making variety of products. Some of them have
demand in the market and some others are yet to be market tested/modified
to the market preferences.
The important products are as follows.
1. Woven lamp shades
2. Carved lamp shades
3. Script O pen
4. Mobile phone Holders
5. Baskets
6. Bamboo curtains
7. Bamboo art work
8. Bamboo bags
9. Bamboo & dry flower products
10. Bamboo shoot pickles etc.
35
Availability of raw materials.
The raw materials are collected mainly from local farmers, wastelands
etc. More than 100 grow bamboo suitable for commercial applications.
The bamboo collectors include people belonging to traditional
communities. As part of this program a bamboo cultivator’s forum
should be formed that forum will ensure the sustainability of raw
material. The primary processing- chemical treatment against attack of
borer and fungi, cutting to size etc. are done at Uravu before supplying
to the units.
Availability of infrastructure
Machinery and tools are the major requirements to facilitate
production of quality products. Introduction of mechanization would
improve both output and quality needs. At present units have some
minor tools, which is not sufficient for making quality products. The
NGO Uravu has a mini machine room; a few artisans can use these
machines.
Existing technology and need for skill up gradation
The technology interventions in the bamboo sector have been minimal
at all level. Even at Bamboo Corporation no significant change has
happened as regarding the scientific extraction, processing and
product diversification of bamboos. Today, access to the latest
technologies, designs and products are available and what is required
is the vision to integrate the activities to the set goal.
The quality of the product is a challenge the rural units will have to
overcome. In the agrarian economies like Wayanad to orient the
artisans to adopt such levels will be a tedious task. Awareness building
by letting the artisans interacts with the customers during exhibitions,
site visits, discussions etc will have to be undertaken to achieve the
above results. A regular center catering to such requirements will be
an essential part of the cluster that can be developed in Wayanad.
36
Scope of collective effort
In the current market, bamboo products have a wider demand. But these groups
cannot know its current possibilities. Through the formation cluster consortia they
can be unified under one control and bring up their skills and social awareness.
Through this, they can be made aware of the current possibilities in the market and
as a result they will be able to make products according to the taste of the
customers. In addition, by forming them as an approved consortium they can gain
governmental schemes and grow further in the competitive market.
Scope for Diversification
Bamboo is said to have more than 1500 applications including high value
industrial products. Presently the cluster products are restricted mainly to
crafts, which forms a small part of the bamboo market. The other
activities such as production of bamboo curtains, bags, dry flowers, shoot
products etc had started only recently. All these activities have ample
scope for development as well as diversification. Apart from these, there
is scope for starting units in the following products in the cluster area.
1. Mechanized incense stick making
2. Agarbathies with bamboo sticks
3. Match sticks
4. Bamboo blinds based products
5. Bamboo charcol
6. Bamboo furniture etc
Marketing
Uravu Eco links Ltd is the main agency involved in marketing the products
of the cluster. The company has a relatively good network with 5 eco
shops and trade relations with a number of retailers in different states.
After the preliminary discussion with company management, they are
agreed to give majority of its share to bamboo producers. So that there is
no need for establish a parallel marketing system in the cluster. The
company is enough to strengthening the marketing capacity of the
cluster.
37
CHAPTER 6
SWOC Analysis
Production Market Financial
Strength
• Eco-friendly, Biodegradable and medicinal value of the Raw material.
• Assistance from NABARD.• Cluster actors are
geographically placed together.
• Organized women force available under the SHGs
• Traditional and skilled labour
• Upliftment of women of the marginalized group
• Alternative to Plastic.
• Market potential through product diversification innovation and new applications.
• Increasing demand for eco friendly bamboo products
Status of Wayanad district as a tourism destination.
Chance for export
Existence of Bankers and developmental financial institution in the cluster area.
Weakness
KSBC not operational in the district. The nearest KSBC depot located at Nilambur in Malappuram District.
No standard pricing for the products.
Poor production management techniques exist.
Lack of institutional linkages.
Productive skill levels not comparable with artisans of other regions in the craft sectors.
Absence of effective market research
Pricing to be standardized
No presence in possible market segments such as corporate,exports etc. Which would help to gain more returns.
Priority of financial institutes for bamboo sector not existing.
Lack of awareness about available financial supports.
Opportunity
To ensure resource availability, bamboos can be cultivated in forest lands, farmlands river and stream banks etc utilizing the scheme under PFM, Environment protection and waste land development programs of the state and Central govt agencies.
Commons show room at prime location to provide marketing support.
Trade fair participation to explore new markets.
Provocative approach of bankers for extending micro credits to SHGs
Availability of finance under Cluster Development market.
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Scope for technology up gradation to develop innovative products
Setting up research centre to explore new application of bamboo as building material.
With eco friendliness becoming major concern for global customers, bamboo products hold tremendous market potential.
The market
potential of the tourism sector in Wayanad can be effectively tapped.
Modern technologies like E-marketing can be introduced
Challenges Non-Application of technology may affect sustainability.
Non-implementation of effective management system to improve business performance
Absence of private, public partnership to promote R & D for value added products to explore new markets.
Regulated selling and transportation
Migration of artisan to tertiary sector like construction.
Labour oriented since the sector is in its nascent state.
Inefficient linkages of the production-consumption chain of the cluster.
Cheaper and competing products in plastic etc
Market competition from other parts of the country
Competition from China in export market.
Low or nil margins for artisans may effect substantially.
Non provocative bankers may not support sufficient working capital for units
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CHAPTER 7
PRESENT, POST CLUSTER MAP AND INSITUITONAL MATRIX
SBT SBI CBI Co-op Banks
BAMBOO CRAFT UNIT (9 nos)
BAMBOO SHOOT PROCESSING UNIT
BAMBOO CURTAIN & WEAVING UNIT
BAMBOO BAG UNIT
DRY FLOWER UNIT
TRADITIONAL ARTISAN
Bamboo
Procurement agentBamboo harvestersBamboo farmers
METAL FABRICATORS
BAMBOO TREATMENT
UNIT
BAMBOO SHOOT COLLECTORS
LOCAL MERCHANTSDIRECT SALE
URAVU ECO LINK
EXHIBITIONS
Retail outletsBulk Buyers
Kudumashree KVIB
CHAPTER 8
Vision of the Cluster
The Kalpetta Bamboo Cluster will establish a
niche market at both domestic and
international levels by the year 2011. The
producer groups will be equipped to become
100% competitive and self reliant through skill
up-gradation, cost reduction through common
purchase, product diversification and export
marketing.
CHAPTER 9
Suggestions and Action Plan
I. Social interventions
STRENGTHENING OF SELF HELP GROUPS (SHGs)
Even though the artisans are working as group basis but this group are
not formally registered as Self Help Group. For getting other
departmental benefit to this group it is essential to form these groups
as SHG. A total of 20 SHGs shall be formed/strengthen as part of this
project. Each group shall have 20 members.
II. Technological interventions
SKILL UPGRADATION TRAINING:
Compare to products from other states and countries the artisans’ level of
skill at present is very poor for making products. This has to be improved
and upgraded through a series of skill up gradation Programmes. Each
training shall be for a period of 2 months. A total of 400 artisans can undergo
skill training as part of this project. Skill up gradation Programmes shall
include:
Splicing: Easy and convenient methods of splicing and reeds using very
simple tools.
Weaving: Different methods of weaving curtains with most modern loom,
especially power loom.
Blending: Blending bamboo with other natural fiber is something, which has
not been attempted so far. (Eg: blending bamboo with jute and cane ) This
is having great scope and it has to be developed in an intensive manner.
Dyeing: Special care and expertise is needed for using dyes, especially
vegetable dyes on natural fiber. There is a special Research and
Development team functioning in Uravu for this purpose. But this team needs
to be strengthened with adequate support.
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Packing: Utmost care and efficiency is necessary for safe and attractive
packing of the products made by the artisans. The artisans need to be
trained in this regard.
(b) DESIGN DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS:
Design development is a very important aspect for developing new and value
added products. Special care shall be taken for designing new products
which can be conveniently used as alternatives for some of the plastic
products. Empanelled designers of the Government of India or alumni of the
National Institute of Design shall be the resource persons for the same. Each
design development workshop s hall be for a duration of 15 days.
(c) Dye workshops
In addition to produce the products in various designs, it is needed to
send these products into the markets in various colours. To give color on is
some what hard. For this natural and chemical dyes can be used. But
artisans do not know how to give this colour. So as a part of the training they
should be taught how to give colour to blintz. Two months training will be
given to selected 5 members from each batch ie total 100 members. After
the training, they will impart training to other members of the batch.
(d) Leadership Training
A strong leadership is needed for a micro enterprise to have a constant
growth. For the artisans who lack leadership qualities, cluster approach will
help in bring out some people who have leadership skills. The people who are
having leadership qualities shall be identified through group approach and
provided leadership-training classes. Three-day workshops for 60 identified
artisans from 20 such groups are required.
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III. Infrastructural related interventions.
(a) TRAINING CENTRE (On rental Basis)
At present the artisan working together as group basis in rented
building. These buildings are not available for long-term work.
So it is suggested that to build a common working shed for each
group is necessary. And a training center shall be hired for
conducting skill up-gradation training. One portion of the same
can be used for conducting Design Development Workshops.
This training center shall be at least 3000 sq. ft. and it can be
taken for rent throughout the duration of the project (five year)
After completing the skill up-gradation training, the artisans
shall produce the products at their own respective work shed.
The artisans can conveniently do this, as all of them will be
supplied with tool kits during the training.
(b)Common facility Centre (C F C)
Towards the end of the project the SHG federation shall
have a common facility centre of its own to pursue the activity
on a commercial and sustainable basis. The feasibility of
construction a CFC under SFURTI with land provided by the
Panchayath/district Panchayath/PWD to be explored.
IV. Financial interventions
The SHGs formed with artisans will be linked to State Bank of
India, respective branches to meet the credit requirement of the
artisans. The bank will be associated from the initial stage itself.
Similarly, the Lead Bank of Kalpetta branch (Canara Bank) also
expected to associated for credit needs of the artisans.
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V. Marketing interventions
(a). EXHIBITIONS:
Exhibitions are a must for the proper marketing as well as dissemination of
the possibility of making and using bamboo products. This is utmost
necessary for exploring the local and domestic markets. Such exhibition of
the products made by the artisans shall be conducted twice in every year for
duration of 15 days as part of this project in a prominent city of India.
(b) MARKET SURETY FOR THE PRODUCTS
Some value added products have already undergone test marketing and
proved to be of great demand in domestic market. There is no doubt that
these products will fetch good prices. Uravu has facilitated the existing
cluster artisans for conducting several exhibitions/melas of their products
and found that these products facing threat from North East products. This
eco-friendly alternative for plastic has great potential all over the world.
Uravu shall always provide its already developed marketing network (Uravu
eco link Ltd) for the artisans of this project.
( c ) Website hosting
Towards the end of the project the federation of artisans shall have
their own website for promotion and marketing of the products for
which all support will be extended by Uravu.
VI . Other interventions.
(a) ENSURING THE SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF BAMBOO AS A RAW
MATERIAL.
Encouraging the local people for massive planting of bamboo along the
borders of inland water bodies, wet lands is must for the constant supply of
raw material. A few plantations also have to be developed as insurance for
the constant supply of bamboo. People in the area should be encouraged for
planting in their own compound. It is legitimate to expect that people will be
5
happy to do the same as one bamboo stem (30-40 feet) costs around Rs.
120/-, which can be an income generation activity without any establishment
cost.
The stem can be cut once in every year. Large scale planting of bamboo will
be an additional advantage in ensuring the sustainable supply of the raw
material, for which commercial plantation of the crop by entrepreneurs /
NGOs is to be promoted.
(b) Documentation and video presentation
Documentation of programme of the cluster every year as well as
video presentation of the interventions like skill up gradation, design
development workshop ,new products developed as well as success story of
the artisans is suggested for motivating others and promoting market for the
products.
(c) Introduction of appliance
At present majority of the units engaged in the craft manually
especially for weaving and splicing etc. So their productivity is comparatively
low. It is noticed that the new electrical device should improve both the
quality and the productivity of the unit. A few most modern machines should
be purchase as part of this programme.
(D) Raw material stock yard/ Smoke house: One of the major problem
facing the units is lack of raw material storage facility. During rainy season it
is very difficult to dry the raw material. To overcome this problem a raw
material store and smoke house is necessary.
(E) Exposure visit:
Majority of the units are not aware or they are doubtful of the cluster
development programme, an exposure visit to other cluster should increase