YCB India - Youth Club of Bejjipuram

YCB successfully implemented AHVY Scheme supported by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India during 2001-02 to 2007-08. YCB identified 380 artisan families in 14 villages of Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh who are engaged in Jute Crafts. During the implementation period interventions for Skill up gradation, Quality Assurance, Design Dissimination, Marketing Support, Publicity of Products were implemented.

As a result the income standards of 380 artisans were increased from Rs.1200/- per month to Rs.3000/- per month on an average. 377 varieties of Jute based quality products are being produced by these artisans. These artisans were federated into Sri Gayatri Jute Artisans Mutual Aided Cooperative Society. They opened a marketing outlet in Srikakulam with the support of NABARD which helped them to explore marketing facility to their products. They established marketing linkages with reputed institution from Hyderabad and Bangalore. Now they are producing products based on natural fibers like Jute, Banana and Sisal which are eco friendly, Durable, Environment friendly and bio – degradable.

In view of the successful implementation of above program, the DC (Handicrafts) sanctioned Cluster Development Program in Madhavapatnam Cluster, East Godavari District. 284 Artisan families engaged on production of Leather Puppets identified and they were promoted into 18 artisan SHGs. A comprehensive project plan for 5 years period was prepared by our organization and submitted for favour of sanction by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) in August 2009. This program will be launched in a couple or months after getting sanction by the concerned authority

Design and Technical Development Work Shop (AHVY Scheme)

During the year, we have conducted design and technical development work shop on Bamboo Crafts in Rajam for 15 Days. Ms Rohini from Hyderabad, a freelance designer extended her expert design skills to 30 artisans hailed from Rajam, Ponduru and Rapaka Villages. 30 prototypes were developed during the 15 days programme. Due to availability of Bamboo in the district and neighboring districts, a lot of Schedule Tribe families depended on Bamboo Crafts in Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram Districts since several centuries. So we are planning to undertake interventions for their welfare of Tribal families in near future.

Handicrafts Exhibitions:

We have organized 2 Handicrafts Exhibitions 1) In Kakinada (A.P), 2) in Mysore (Karnataka), sponsored by the O/o the Development Commissioner for Handicrafts. 64 Artisan SHGs were provided with marketing facility in these exhibitions and sales up to Rs.16.00 lakhs was made by these groups.

Production Units and Marketing Support to Gayatri Artisan MACS Ltd:

At present the production units are working in Bejjipuram; Tamada; Bonthuvalasa; Budumru Kothakota; Appapuram Villages etc. in which 327 artisans are engaged in production of Jute based products.

These artisans are regularly manufacturing a range of diversified products such as Jute carpets, Floor coverings, Room dividers, hanging chairs, Bags in different shapes and sizes and also Decorative. These products are being purchased by the Gayatri artisan’s cooperative society on by - back policy. M/s Gayatri has been taking up the responsibility of providing marketing facilities to these finished products and supplying regularly the raw material as per the needs of artisans. The members of the society were also participated in a good no. of exhibitions organized and sponsored by the DC Handicrafts, CAPART, JMDC, NABARD and NGOs working in the field Handicrafts. M/s Gaytri Macs has opened a marketing outlet (Rural Mart) in Palakonda Road of Srikakulam town with the support of NABARD under Capital venture scheme which meant for creating marketing Facility to artisans.

Natural Fiber Project:

COHANDS, New Delhi sanctioned Natural Fiber Project to promote artisan SHGs in Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Vishakapatnam and East Godavari Districts. 111 SHGs were promoted in these districts. An integrated plan for 5 years period was prepared and submitted to COHANDS. COHANDS authorities approved the plan and 2 design and technical development workshops and 2 skill training programmes were sanctioned during the year as part of the scheme. Skill trainings are being conducted in Ponduru (Srikakulam District) and Gouri Patnam (East Godavari) in which 40 artisans are being imparted skills on Jute Handicrafts. Design and Technical Development workshop in Palakonda for 30 Artisans was conducted in which 32 prototypes were developed. Mr. Satish Nagendra, Designer from Hyderabad extended his expert design services to the artisans. Another workshop was conducted in Venkatagiri village in Rajahmandry Rural, in which 30 artisans were given design input by Mr. Satish Nagendra for a period of 15 Days on Jute and Banana Crafts. 34 prototypes were developed for test sales. We are waiting for feedback from customers and business people.