Rural Non Farm Development Authority (RUDA) promotes the rural non-farm sectors including stone and pottery artisans, as well as leather and embroidery artists, writes Elets News Network (ENN).
RUDA: Promoting Rajasthan Artisans Globally
The Rural Non Farm Development Agency (RUDA) was established in November 1995 by the Government of Rajasthan as an independent agency to promote the Rural Non-Farm Sector (RNFS) in the state.It follows a sub-sectoral, integrated and cluster based approach for promoting rural micro enterprises as viable avenues of sustainable employment.
Effective use and abundant availability of local resources prompted RUDA to adopt a focused developmental approach in wool, leather and minor minerals. The interventions based on market demands, aim at bridging the gaps in the value addition chain by organising the artisans, augmenting their skills, disseminating technological and design and product development as well as credit and market facilitation.
RUDA’S COLLABORATORS
RUDA’s pragmatic approach of Micro Enterprise development has been recognised by organisations like the World Bank, UNDP, UNCTAD, UNIDO, NID, NIFT, NISIET, CSWRI, CLRI, FDDI, CGCRI, KVIC, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, IMC, CII and FICCI among others.
Several NGOs such as SEWA, Ahmedabad and agencies such as Federation of Rajasthan Handicraft Exports (FORHEX), Federation of Indian Exporters (FIEO), Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), Centre for Development of Stones (C-DOS), Smart, TRIFED and Rajasthan Carpet & Woolen Products Development Society (RCWPDS) have availed of the expertise of RUDA for strategy formulation and implementation.
RUDA also services projects and programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, as well as the Department of Rural Development and Department of Industries, Government of Rajasthan.
RUDA’S PROJECTS
RUDA has implemented several ambitious projects since inception. A few of these include:
- Special SGSY Project for Mainstreaming of Rural products in the four tribal districts of Rajasthan
- Integrated Kota Doria Cluster Development Project,
- Integrated Leather Cluster Development Project, Bansur
- Integrated Marketing and Sectoral Programmes under the State Plan, (Wool, Leather and Minor Minerals sub sectors)
- CLRI-HRD Mission Project – A Project for Post Operation Mojari in three desert districts of Rajasthan)
- Tal Chhapar Rural Livelihood Project
- New Handblock Cluster Project, Bagru
- Integrated Design Development Project in Leather Accessories in Udaipuria, Jaipur
- Kishangarh- Renwal Leather Cluster Project
- Embroidery Project in Shiv and Chouhtan Blocks in Barmer district
- NID-MSME Design Clinic Project – Blue Pottery and Namada
STONE, CERAMICS AND POTTERY Rajasthan is extremely rich in minor minerals. Based on these resources, employment is provided to a large number of potters, stone sculptors and highly-skilled labour engaged in the processing of these minerals. RUDA has worked with artisans in this sub sector at various places in Rajasthan and has helped these artisans in improving their incomes through value addition and technological innovations. RUDA has successfully developed new designs and products in Terracotta, Stone Arte facts, Blue Pottery, Black Pottery etc. Skills of artisans in stone sculpting and smoked and clay pottery have been upgraded at several places.
RUDA’s pragmatic approach of Micro – Enterprise development has been recognized by organizations like the World Bank, UNDP, UNCTAD, UNIDO, NID, NIFT, NISIET, CSWRI, CLRI, FDDI, CGCRI, KVIC, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, IMC, CII & FICCI.
RUDA has very successfully introduced lead free and high strength products in Blue Pottery for which Jaipur is internationally known. After obtaining a geographical indication for Blue Pottery, RUDA has provided “Jaipur Blue” logo and brand name to the blue pottery artisans.
RUDA has also extensively carried out design development and product development at Pokharan (Jaisalmer) for Clay Pottery, at Sikandara and Manpura for Stone Handicrafts and for Blue Pottery at Kotjewar (Jaipur).
Artisans of this sector are regularly Participating in STONA, Stone Mart and Ceraglass International Fair showcasing their products. Stone Artisans have also participated in Fairs like Verona in Italy and Natural Stone Istanbul in Turkey.
LEATHER
The leather sub-sector of Rajasthan is characterised by availability of abundant raw material and a large skill base and thereby occupies a prominent place in the State’s rural economy.
RUDA has successfully carried out upgradation of skill of 4,800 artisans in Jalore, Barmer and Jodhpur districts in 2007, under a project funded by CLRI, Chennai. Project “Operation Mojari”, funded by UNDP-NLDP for benefitting about 10,000 artisans in Jaipur, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Pali and Jalore districts, was completed by RUDA in December 2003. A cluster development project funded by the Government of Rajasthan is currently under implementation by RUDA in Bansur, Ismailpur and Ghasoli Villages in district Alwar. RUDA has tied up with NID for design workshop for Leather Artisans at NID campus.
WOOL, TEXTILE
Rajasthan is a major producer of raw wool in the country. A large number of weavers are engaged in producing various types of cotton. Silk and woollen textiles in the State situated in far-flung villages. RUDA has undertaken several activities towards design enhancement of Namda products, hand-block printed textiles, Tie and Dye craft and Dhurri, Khes weaving etc. RUDA has been implementing an integrated Cluster Development Project funded by Government of Rajasthan for Kota Doria handloom sarees at Kaithun, Mangrol, Roteda and Siswali Villages of Kota/Baran districts. Several initiatives have been taken by RUDA for technological upgradation of these handloom weavers. A new range of Kota Doria products was developed with the help of international designers in 2006-07. This product range was showcased in a spectacular fashion event organised by RUDA. RUDA has been instrumental in getting geographical registration for Kota Doria handloom fabric, Sanganer Hand Block Printed Textiles and Bagru Hand Block Printed Textiles. As marketing demands include overseas fashion, culture and geographical requirement, samples from NID designer and international designers have been introduced in fashion shows and International fair.
MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
RUDA has taken up Micro Enterprise Development Program for rural artisans under a DPIP Project in seven districts. A Special SGSY Project in four tribal districts of Rajasthan was also implemented by RUDA with the financial support provided by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It has therefore, acquired expertise in handling major social sector development projects encompassing a large area involving a number of activities viz. skill upgradation, group formation, design development, technological up gradation and marketing support.
Under the Special SGSY Project, “Mainstreaming of Rural Products”, with the help of partner NGOs, RUDA has formed 211 SHGs in four southern tribal districts of Rajasthan. The members of the SHGs have been trained in making various rural crafts viz Terracotta, Meenakari, Archery, Durri making and Pottery.
RUDA has undertaken a special initiative at Tal Chhapar (Churu) wherein rural women have been imparted special skills in making useful products out of eco-friendly forest produce such as grasses, straws etc. These products include bangles, napkin, holders, office table accessories, decorative hangings etc. made of forest produce.
Also Read: Rajasthan Govt Making Small Enterprises Yield Bigger Results
MARKETING SUPPORT
RUDA provides market support to rural artisans and to achieve the objective, it collaborates with Government of Rajasthan as well as Government of India and other agencies for financial support. RUDA has successfully organised several fairs and exhibitions giving opportunity to large number of artisans to display and sell their products. These includes the SARAS Melas , Gandhi Shilp Bazaars, National Handicraft Expos etc. In addition, RUDA sponsors artisans to participate in several national and international fairs such as IITF, STONA and fairs organised by other bodies such as FORHEX, FICCI, COHANDS, FIEO, HEPC etc. RUDA has also sponsored artisans in participating in fairs organized abroad at Azerbaijan (Baku), Singapore , Pakistan, Paris, Brazil etc. RUDA also carries out exposure visits for various types of artisans both within and outside the State.
RUDA collaborates with Government of Rajasthan as well as Government of India and other agencies for financial support
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS REGISTRATION
RUDA has undertaken initiatives for obtaining Registration under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999, a signaling device helping the producers to differentiate their products from competing products and enabling them to built reputation and goodwill around their products. With RUDA’s efforts, GI registration has been procured for Kota Doria Handloom Fabric, Blue Pottery of Jaipur a,Hand Block Printed Textiles of Sanganer and Pokaran pottery.
COMMUNICATION AND EXTENSION
With a view to popularizing the craft products made by various craft persons in the state, RUDA undertakes publication of brochures, leaflets, folders etc as well as establishing websites for special craft clusters.
RUDA has also undertaken production of documentary films for craft such as Kota Doria Sarees, SGSY Project SCP Sub Sector Tal Chhapar Project.
RUDA’S DASTKAR MITRA SERVICES
- Directory of Artisans
- Product Catalogues for Blue Pottery, Sand Stone, Pokaran Pottery, Rajasthan Handicrafts, Kota Doria etc.
- Process Charts, Wall Papers & EDP Training Modules and SHG resource Material
- Documentary film on CLRI-HRD Mission Programme and Special SGSY Project
- Marketing film on Kota Dora & Khadi
- Documentary film on Fashion for Development
- Marketing and Event Documentary on DPIP Roadshows, Rajustsav Craft Bazaar (Kolkata) and RUDA’s Corporate Film etc.
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