Project Description:

• As a Technical Agency AIILSG the responsibilities are preparation and validation of Cluster Action Plans, conducting training of the Cluster Development Executives (CDEs) and other officials of the IAs and NAs, regular monitoring of the cluster on a monthly/quarterly basis and submit reports on a quarterly basis to the respective field office of Nodal Agencies.

Work done:

• TRIFED empanelled AIILSG as a Technical Agency for SFURTI Scheme and signed an MoU.
• Initially, AIILSG will work in Jashpur District of Panchakki, Patthalgaon & Kadena cluster which is Van Dhan Kendra.
• AIILSG is collecting primary data and assessing the existing strength of the Panchakki cluster for preparation of DPR.

Project Implementation Region:

• Jashpur Nagar, Chhattisgarh

Partner organization:

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)



Objective of the scheme:

• To organize the traditional industries and tribal artisans and tribal gatherers/beneficiaries into clusters to make them competitive and provide support for their long-term sustainability and economy of scale;
• To provide sustained employment for the traditional industry of tribal artisans and tribal gatherers/beneficiaries and entrepreneurs;
• To enhance marketability of products /value-added products of such clusters by providing support for value-added products, new products, design intervention and improved packaging, branding and also the improvement of marketing infrastructure;
• To equip traditional tribal artisans and tribal gatherers/beneficiaries of the associated clusters with the improved skills and capabilities through training and exposure visits;
• To make provision for common facilities and improved tools and equipment for tribal artisans and tribal gatherers/beneficiaries to promote optimum utilization of infrastructure facilities;
• To strengthen the cluster governance systems with the active participation of the stakeholders so that they can gauge the emerging challenges and opportunities and coherently respond to them;
• To build-up innovated and traditional skills improved technologies, advanced processes, market intelligence and new models of public-private partnerships so as to gradually replicate similar models of cluster-based regenerated traditional industries;
• To look for setting up of multi-product cluster with the integrated value chain and a strong market-driven approach for viability and long-term sustainability of the cluster;
• To ensure convergence from the initial stage/design stage with each activity of the cluster formation and operations thereof;
• To identify and understand cluster's target customers, understand their needs and aspirations and develop and present product lines to meet the requirement. The substantial focus should be on the buyer segment that places a premium on natural, eco-friendly, ethically sourced and the uniqueness of the tribal products.
• To develop specific product lines out of the currently offered diversified basket of heterogeneous products based on the understanding of the target consumer segment. A brand unification exercise also needs to be done to maximize the value.
• To make a paradigm shift from a supply-driven selling model to a market-driven model with the right quality, branding, focus product mix and correct positioning and right pricing to make the offering holistic and optimal for each of the focus categories.
• To tap the E-commerce as a major marketing channel, with its outreach and the growing market penetration, and devise strategy to market the tribal products through these online market channels.
• To make substantial investment in the area of product development, product design and quality improvement. There is a need to standardize the quality of inputs and processes to meet the quality benchmarks. Proper planning, including Research, needs to be done to develop products, be it forest-based value-added products or handicraft/handloom products, all should cater to the prevailing market trends.