In rural India, women face immense challenges that restrict their access to education,
healthcare, and economic opportunities. Despite their resilience and hard work, many
are confined to traditional roles within their communities, limiting their potential. At
Nisarg Agripreneurship Foundation, we envisioned a change—a future where these
women could break free from societal constraints and build better lives for themselves
and their families.
For years, the women in our Itarsi cluster have been the pillars of their communities,
contributing through various jobs such as sewing, stitching, and surface
ornamentation of textiles and garments. They produced a diverse range of products,
including men’s clothing like shirts, trousers, and jackets, as well as women’s salwar
suits and dresses. However, their efforts often went undercompensated, and their skills
underutilised. The lack of value addition and high production costs further hampered
their progress, making financial stability a distant dream.
To address these challenges, the Nisarg Agripreneurship Foundation implemented a
comprehensive program designed to empower these women through skill development
and economic opportunities. Our approach was multifaceted, focusing on training,
infrastructure, and market access.
1. Skill Development and Training
Recognising the need for skill enhancement, training programs were launched that
extended beyond traditional techniques. Women received education in
Entrepreneurship, Value Generation, Economics and Business, Branding, and
Marketing. These courses, which focused on skill up-gradation in designing and
product development, equipped them with the knowledge and skills necessary to
navigate and succeed in the modern marketplace.
2. Infrastructure Development: Common Facility Center
A critical component of our initiative was the establishment of a Common Facility
Center. This infrastructure provided the artisans with the necessary tools and space to
produce high-quality products efficiently. By reducing labor and production costs, the
center significantly enhanced their productivity and profitability.
3. Strengthening Linkages
The cluster focused on creating strong forward and backward linkages. Forward
linkages involved developing a diverse product portfolio to ensure market stability
and growth. Backward linkages included collaborating with grassroots suppliers to
reduce raw material costs and enhance the supply chain. These strategies ensured a
steady cash flow and opened up new avenues for market proliferation and exports.
4. Market Access and Branding
To amplify the reach of these artisans, stores showcasing their work were established.
This initiative aimed to boost their marketing and branding efforts, making their
products more attractive to a broader audience and increasing their sales and income.
Additionally, these women displayed their craftsmanship at exhibitions and fairs to a
wider audience and connected with potential buyers.