Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 13:39:23
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.45 1.70%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,454.45 0.95%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 429.05 0.25%
  1. State Bank Of India share price
  2. 755.05 2.86%
Business News/ Industry / Manufacturing/  Govt expands support to artisans for boosting agarbatti production
BackBack

Govt expands support to artisans for boosting agarbatti production

The government has expanded the support to artisans involved in agarbatti making as part of a programme aimed at making India self-reliant in the production incensed sticks

A Hindu devotee holds agarbattis as he performs rituals for the Kuse Aunse festival or Father's Day, at Gokarna on the outskirts of Kathmandu on August 19, 2020. (AFP)Premium
A Hindu devotee holds agarbattis as he performs rituals for the Kuse Aunse festival or Father's Day, at Gokarna on the outskirts of Kathmandu on August 19, 2020. (AFP)

The government has expanded the support to artisans involved in agarbatti making as part of a programme aimed at making India self-reliant in the production incensed sticks, an official release said on Sunday.

The MSME Ministry had recently approved the 'Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission' towards creating employment for the unemployed and migrant workers in different parts of the country, handholding artisans and supporting the local agarbatti industry.

"Further to its launching the support programme on July 30, 2020, the Ministry has looked at all aspects of the industry, beyond just supply of machines for making agarbatti. This includes ensuring supply of inputs and raw materials, the demand for which has increased hugely in last one year," an official statement said.

The current consumption of agarbatti in the country is approximately 1,490 MT per day. However, per day production of agarbatti in India is just 760 MT. The deficit is met through imports primarily from China and Vietnam.

To make India self-reliant in this sector, the total size of the programme, has been increased to more than 55 crore, which will include immediate support to about 1,500 artisans of about 3.45 crore, development of two centres of Excellence costing at 2.20 crore, the MSME Ministry said.

The two centres of excellence will be developed at IITs/NITs and at Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre Kannauj, besides setting up of 10 new SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) clusters at a cost of about 50 crore, benefitting about 5,000 additional artisans.

Earlier, the size of the programme was of 2.66 crore covering about 500 artisans.

The new guidelines were issued on September 4.

The four main pillars of the new programme are continuously supporting the artisans through training, raw material, marketing and financial support; working on all aspects of this product, like innovation in the fragrance & packaging; setting up 10 clusters with proper marketing linkages under SFURTI; and strengthening the machine manufacturing capability to achieve self-sufficiency in the country.

"These projects will give boost to the agarbatti industry and help in further building indigenous capability in all areas of agarbatti manufacturing with increased exports, and enhanced employment opportunities to the artisans and entrepreneurs," the statement said.

Under the expanded programme announced on 4 September, 400 Automatic Agarbatti making machines as against 200 earlier, and additional 500 pedal operated machines will be given to 'Self Help Groups (SHGs)' and individuals through 20 pilot projects, across the country with proper marketing and raw material supply tie ups.

"The programme will immediately benefit about 1,500 artisans, in providing sustainable employment with increased earnings. Artisans developing hand rolled Agarbatti and 'Migrant workers' will be given preference as part of the programme," the statement said.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), one of the statutory organizations, under the Ministry of MSME, will implement the programme. 

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

Catch all the Industry News, Banking News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 06 Sep 2020, 06:42 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Manufacturing Stocks
₹557.550.94%
ITC
₹4280.16%
₹2,987.850.13%
₹152.851.7%
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App