SAL SABAI CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Centre of Excellence

A Centre of Excellence is a team, a shared facility or an entity that provides leadership, best practices research, support and training for a focus area.

The Centre of Excellence (Sal-Sabai) at Jhargram set up under Cluster Development Programme is one of its unique initiatives of the West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board with a view to eliminate the distress sale experienced by the local rural women and to develop a production cum training and research centre with provision for production room , store, guest room, conference hall and a museum with a laboratory for product diversification of various crafts product.

This is with a view empower the Sal-Sabai artisans by using their expertise and through it, to empower them, that the Board has taken up the Project.

MISSION & VISION OF THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AT JHARGRAM (Sal-Sabai)

MISSION

• To provide training to the Sal Sabai artisans so that they can manufacture diversified product within a very short time.

• To increase awareness among the tribal artisans to increase economics of scale and marketing power.

• To increase efficiency and sustainability and to adopt and improve technology.

• To impart lessons on marketing of the Sal-Sabai Products.

VISION

• To be the leading resource and knowledge centre of Jungle Mohal.

• To revolutionize Jungle Mohal with demand driven and inspiring Sal-Sabai Product and knowledge service to realize next level of diversified Products.

• To make the Centre of Excellence to be the first of its kind in the country.

Collaboration & Core Concept

An overall MOU was signed between the West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board and the facility provider ARANNYA SUNDARI of Jhargram where work plans were defined. In these work plans WBKVIB and ARANNYA SUNDARI agreed to make available knowledge, technology, research and development work.

The concept of this Centre of Excellence is a showcase and knowledge repository of the best-in-class in West Bengal in manufacturing of Sal-Sabai diversified products with Sal leaves and Sabai grass by dint of necessary training and to make artisans access to market.

SAL LEAF

Sal leaves are abundant in local forests, providing a livelihood for tribal women who create stitched plates and utensils. WBKVIB intervenes to combat low-price, distress sales by purchasing these products at a fair price, allowing artisans to avoid exploitation by middlemen.

SABAI

Used for hand-woven, eco-friendly crafts and domestic ropes, Sabai grass is a key, sustainable material. Through Cluster Development Projects, WBKVIB aids tribal artisans by facilitating value addition and marketing of these, often dyed, products.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Centre of Excellence features advanced facilities to support artisans.

• Molding and sewing machines, including specialized Sabai rope makers.
• Storage, training space, production units, and a dedicated, 24/7 secured facility.
• A museum for showcasing intricate handicrafts, supported by IT infrastructure.

THE MANDATE & FOCUS

KVIB works to enhance the Jungle Mahal economy through modern technology training, capacity building, and participatory planning. The focus is on research, skill development, and sustainable production.