Natural Fibre Craft

The aim of the Natural Fibre Craft Department is the promotion of the craft so as to serve hundreds of artisans with a sustainable income. KIDS, over the years, have been focusing on the integrated development of the traditional artisans in these areas through value addition to Screwpine and Water Hyacinth.

The innovative interventions in the Natural Fibre Craft sector are   carried out focusing on the following objectives:

• Eco-restoration of the water bodies of the area through plantation of screwpine along the banks of rivers and canals.
• Ensuring raw material security and its constant supply through large-scale planting of screwpine.
• Management of wetlands by conversion of water hyacinth into natural fibre for making eco-friendly items of general utility.
• Achievement of qualitative improvement in production through skill upgradation of artisans.
• Lifting of artisans to a level of effectively making new and value-added products through design development.
• Creation of an effective marketing network for these SHG products.
• Development of a non-polluting industry using a locally available resource, eg screwpine, water hyacinth, etc.
• Provision of jobs for thousands of people without any huge infrastructure.
• Development of screwpine and water hyacinth as an alternative to many plastic products.
• Striving to achieve higher exports for the country.
• Working for the preservation of the cultural heritage of mat-weaving by uplifting the declining craft.

The major milestones during the year in the Screwpine & Water Hyacinth craft sector are:

• Issued identity cards of Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India to the Screwpine artisans.
• Provided Health Cards to 500 artisans as the first phase, which helps them to avail treatment free of cost from selected hospitals.
• Scholarship was given to the high school children of 220 artisans for their academic excellence.
• Provided skill training in water hyacinth craft to 300 members of the Kumari Sanghams (Groups of Adolescent Girls) facilitated under the ICDS Programme of Govt. of India.
• Participated in 14 prominent exhibitions in prime locations including New Delhi and Mumbai. This invited more buyers to the natural fibre cluster.
• Conducted 10 Design Development Workshops in the crafts to bring out new marketable designs and products. The design workshops were led by designers of NID, Ahmedabad and NICD, Jaipur.
• Established a Sales Emporium at Kottapuram for the promotion and sales of Natural Fibre Craft products. The emporium is named as Muzris Natural Fibre Emporium.
• Inaugurated the Common Working Facility Centre for Natural Fibre Craft at Poyya with all the facilities including Dyeing & Drying Units and Effluent Treatment Plant.