Natural fibers such as jute, silk, coir, bamboo, sisal, mat grass, babui, cotton(handloom) etc. are indigenously available in many backward districts of West Bengal. In the context of developing the inherent skills of the rural community and womenfolk in select blocks of backward districts of the state, a Scheme for implementation of the Natural Fibre Mission was proposed by the directorate of M&SSE, Govt. of West Bengal under the aegis of the Special Backward Region Grant Fund. The project, in principle has been approved by the Planning Commission, Govt. of India.
The project envisages the development of the Natural Fibre sector in select districts of West Bengal through multi-level interventions at the apex layer. The task of handholding projects and the groups of entrepreneurs implementing the projects under the Scheme is very complex and needs intensive handholding support.
It is in this context that the Directorate of M&SSE, Govt. of West Bengal is preparing this Detailed Project Report (DRP) for implementation of the scheme in the selected districts of West Bengal.
The Natural Fibre Mission Project funded under BRGF concept is based on generation of rural livelihood, creation of rural industries, through intervention of product diversification, market linkage, creation of infrastructure facility like Common Facility Centre (CFC); Common Production Centre (CPC) including soft intervention and household level intervention like supply of machineries, tool kits, equipment etc.
OBJECTIVES
The prime objective of the Natural Fibre Mission is to institutionalize the use of natural fibres available in the districts through development of community-centric manufacturers’ cluster by using the available traditional skills, business development services of the community by way of providing synergic linkages for a sustainable development of the community with inclusive growth of the sector. Thus the Mission aims at promoting the artisans pursuing trade of the available natural fibres by providing forward and backward linkage in terms of improved tools, raw materials and market support.
INTERVENTIONS OF WBKVIB
WBKVIB has been involved in the process of implementation of NFM project under BRGF Districts and other Districts for having Livelihood Development of Artisans engaged in the activities relating to Sabai Grass, Sisal, Cotton Fibres in Purulia, Bankura, Midnapore (W), Birbhum, Malda, Murshidabad and Midnapore(E) district.
Baseline survey regarding availability of Natural Fibres [Jute, Silk, Coir, Bamboo, Mat Grass, Babui grass etc.], No. of artisans, present status of products including value added products, scope of exports etc. have been made.
Planning Commission, Govt. of India has principally approved a fund of Rs.257 Crore for this project.
West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board currently working in the following districts with the types of fiber given below. Where as Financial Allocation Rs 37.00 Crores. Coverage of Benificiaries 6319 Nos.
Coverage of District
1. Bankura
2. Birbhum
3. Jalpaiguri
4. Malda
5. Mushirdabad
6. Purulia
Coverage of Fiber
1. Sabai Grass
2. Bamboo
3. Silk
4. Cotton
| SL | Fiber Name |
| Soft intervention | Hard intervention | Artisans No | Total project cost (Rs. In lacs) | ||
| Artisan No | Amount (Rs. In lacs) | Artisan No | Amount (Rs. In lacs) | |||||
| District Name | ||||||||
| 1 | Cotton (Project Muslin) | Murshidabad, Malda, Birbhum, Paschim Midnapore | 1610 | 2055.55 | 1610 | 1826.1 | 1610 | 3881.6 |
| 2 | Project Madurkathi | Midnapur (East & West) | 2100 | 400.00 | 2100 | 600.00 | 2100 | 1000.00 |
| 3 | Project Sabai | Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Midnapur | 1690 | 200.00 | 1690 | 300.00 | 1690 | 500.00 |
| Total | 6400 | 2855.55 | 6400 | 3026.06 | 6400 | 5881.61 | ||