Conclusion of Research and Development Projec

The ongoing Research and Development project titled “Feasibility study for the Identification and promotion of commercially viable technologies for product development of the value addition of Bamboo and Cane based products from North Eastern Region in India “ (Sanctioned vide order no. K-12012/4/49/2009-10/R&D dated 26-03-2010; under Research and Development Scheme.) was successfully concluded with presentation of results before the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) alongwith exhibition of prototypes and submission of final project report. The activities towards successful achievement of following objectives of the study were conducted by the experts from the National Center for Design and Product Development, New Delhi in the NER during financial year 2010-11.

To study the traditional methods prevalent in different bamboo and cane craftsmen in north east India a questionnaire based survey was conducted in the state to evaluate prevalent methods in bamboo and cane crafts. The Questionnaire included questions on all the aspects, i.e., selection of raw material, procurement of raw material, demand supply gap in raw material, preservation and treatment processes, tools being used, product range, source of designs, mode of operation and marketing.

Commercially viable technologies suitable for various steps in bamboo based handicraft production, were screened for refinement and promotion. The criterion of selection included ease of operation, familiarity and availability of tools and techniques and overall cost of operation.

In order to promote commercially viable technologies and to evaluate species specific strategy for product development, onsite product development was undertaken. To develop strategies for the species specific product standardization in consultation with national awarded master craftsmen, pioneer entrepreneurs, buying agencies, resource persons from different bamboo and cane research organizations, state forest departments etc.

Further the outcome of the project was also exhibited at Tripura state Science fair, Tex trends 2011, New Delhi, IFAS 2011, Jodhpur and communicated to more than a thousand artisans through one on one interaction. Research Studies of this type necessitate documentation of traditional methods and promote participation of stakeholders in the development and extension of new technologies/ concepts. Such studies are extremely valuable for development of handicraft sector as a whole, in the state of Meghalaya to find out the realities of artisans in action.

Regarding raw materials the survey concluded that Forest are still the primary source of raw materials and the level of awareness on felling rules for bamboo and cane is low. Despite the vast diversity, a selected few species are in exploitation which is not sustainable. Transport is a major hurdle along with rising prices of raw materials.this leads to poor availability of desired raw material when the demand is high, low productivity of bamboo stands in the forest and high variability among the available raw material . Therefore, to ensure availability of uniform superior quality raw material and enhanced productivity could be achieved through captive plantations and homestead plantations are recommended. Training and awareness on commercial cultivation and harvesting, formal cultivation of important species should be promoted and by evolving design and product concepts for underutilized species.

Regarding treatment, seasoning, primary processing and secondary processing the survey concluded that the use of modern tools for primary processing is rare primarily due to non availability of tools, electricity and know how; the number of common facility centers is less and far apart from artisans place; a large proportion of respondents are not practicing protective chemical treatment of bamboo; those practicing often rely on banned material leading to less durable products and knowledge and application of secondary processing methods, coloring, painting etc varies across the region. This leads to seasonal nature of production activity, poor shelf life of the products, low productivity of artisan due to time spent on primary processing and poor marketability of the products. Availability of superior, treated, seasoned high quality raw material, throughout the year and enhanced productivity of artisans could be achieved through specialized centers for primary processing of bamboo which could be CFCs or RMBs equipped with trained manpower and viable business plans. These primary processing units could be equipped with facilities for mass treatment of raw materials for commercial success.
As concluded from present survey, weaving and basketry work is the most prevalent bamboo craft. Over dependence on traditional designs and family based production has lead to products with less market value, Low production volumes and non uniform production. Utilities based on weaving/mat based products and culm container crafts for modern home setting and corporate buyers should be designed, prototyped and scaled up. State initiative design centers, design workshops and professional freelance designers from apex institutes, designers from export houses could fill in the gap. At the same type scale up of the prototypes developed and test marketing is very essential. Home based productions units can be supported for part time workers but work shed based common production units enhance professionalism, productivity. And facilitate bulk supply of pre processed raw materials and mass sale of finished product.
As concluded from present survey sale of unfinished product is quite high and maximum artisans sell their own products by themselves bigger private player. This leads to Low quality, non uniform produce without proper grading and packing and Interruptions in production and marketing cycles. A unit on finishing, grading and packaging in every cluster will go a long way to instill continuity in production and marketing. Such an intervention may lead to better pricing and targeting alongwith successful execution of bulk orders.