Abrar Mattoo
Invest India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India organized a media gathering at SKUAST’s Shalimar campus where senior officials from Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation, J&K, appraised the media persons with the success of various initiatives taken by the corporation and where various successful entrepreneurs recounted the success of their enterprises.
One District One Product-Districts (ODOP) Initiative is aimed to select, brand, and promote One Product from each District (One District – One Product) of the country for enabling holistic socioeconomic growth across all regions.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom, J&K, said that the handicrafts industry of Kashmir valley is nearly 2,000 years old. “The touch and feel of our products are so unique, that they are coveted across all the globe.”
In 2020, the government formulated Handicrafts and Handloom policy which gave the department a mandate and a roadmap. This policy established various schemes which included financial assistance to 3.5 lakh artisans associated with handicrafts in Kashmir valley. This helped revive the handicrafts in the valley.
Mr. Mahmood added that in the past two years, nearly Rs. 20 crores have been distributed in financial assistance to the artisans.
“Our aim is to help artisans with working capital so that they can maintain their inventory,” Mr. Mahmood added further.
According to Mr. Mahmood the department has launched various initiatives including credit schemes and export incentives that have helped boost both production and exports of Kashmiri artifacts.
Mr. Mahmood said that last year the export figures were only Rs. 500 crores, but by the end of March this year, he said that “we are expecting the export figures to reach Rs. 2030 crores. This positive result has been seen due to productive interventions that the department has made at a very high level.”
Under One District – One Product, the government has supported various entrepreneurs and, in many places, created artisans’ societies which have given a boost to the crafts and agricultural products of the valley.
Speaking at the occasion, Mehak Moonis said that thanks to the intervention of government, she was able to revive their family business of Saffron.
“Our brand, Herb-Heaven is one of the few brands which export saffron to many countries. We have recently launched saffron powder, which has been received well in Canada and other European countries,” Miss Mehak added.
Another successful entrepreneur Towkeer Ahmad Bhagwan, who had come from Doda and was into lavender cultivation said that he started small and now there are 2500 farmers associated with him.
District Doda’s One district – One Product is lavender, and Mr. Towkeer said that they have also “started the cultivation of essential oils including rosemary etcetera.”
Previously, these oils were imported from foreign countries but now we are producing them on our own. He thanked the government for the initiative of helping the farmers and said that he will continue to do the good work.
There were many other successful entrepreneurs who were working in their respective districts on their designated products and all sent out this message that the future of handicrafts and agricultural products in Jammu and Kashmir is bright and shining. They invoked more and more youth to get involved in entrepreneurship.
