Bamboo craft gets a boost in Baharagora: DC calls for co-operative model

Jamshedpur: In a significant move towards rural self-reliance and women empowerment, Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi inspected the bamboo clusters located in Jugishol and Manushmudia under Baharagora block. The visit underscored the district administration’s focus on generating sustainable employment through local enterprise development.

While interacting with artisans at the Jugishol bamboo cluster, which currently employs over 70 trained individuals under the MSME scheme, the Deputy Commissioner appreciated their work and stressed the need for quality enhancement and product diversification. “Along with traditional items like baskets and soup trays, the focus should also be on creating market-friendly items such as pen stands, home décor showpieces, and bamboo furniture,” he said. He encouraged local artisans, especially women, to adopt innovative and fashionable designs to attract modern consumers.

In a key directive, DC Satyarthi instructed officials from JSLPS and the District Entrepreneur Coordination Cell to transition both clusters to a cooperative model. “The cooperative model ensures collective ownership, shared decision-making, and greater self-reliance among rural women,” he noted.

During his visit to the Manushmudia cluster, earlier operated by Jharcraft, the Deputy Commissioner engaged directly with local women artisans, who expressed their willingness to restart operations. Responding to their feedback, he assured them of support in reviving the cluster under a cooperative framework for long-term sustainability.

The local women also proposed setting up a cashew processing plant, leveraging the natural availability of cashew in the region. DC Satyarthi welcomed the idea and recommended exploring the establishment of the unit through a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) to promote agri-based entrepreneurship and large-scale employment.

“The district administration is committed to fostering rural livelihoods and empowering women through skill-based, group-driven enterprises like bamboo craftsmanship and agro-processing,” he emphasized.

The inspection was attended by BDO Keshav Kumar, CO Raja Ram Singh Munda, DPM JSLPS Sujit Bari, District Entrepreneur Coordinator, local representatives, and a large number of bamboo artisans.