NABARD celebrates 10th National Handloom Day in Kishtwar

KISHTWAR: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) marked the 10th National Handloom Day with a special celebration in Kishtwar, reaffirming its dedication to supporting the handloom and handicraft sector, particularly focusing on empowering local female artisans. The event, which brought together a vibrant community of artisans, highlighted NABARD’s comprehensive initiatives aimed at bolstering the handloom industry in the region.

Nikhil Sharma, District Development Manager (DDM) NABARD, led the celebration by outlining the organization's various initiatives designed to support artisans in Kishtwar. He emphasized NABARD’s role in forming Off-Farm Producer Organizations (OFPOs), which provide a structured platform for artisans to collaborate and scale their businesses. Sharma also discussed the importance of Livelihood Enterprise Development Programs (LEDPs) and skill development initiatives under the NABSKILL program, both of which are crucial in enhancing the technical and entrepreneurial skills of artisans.

In his address, Sharma highlighted NABARD’s significant contributions to marketing support for artisans. This includes sponsoring local artisans for participation in national exhibitions, which offer them a broader market reach, and providing grants for the establishment of Rural Haats and Rural Marts, which are essential in creating sustainable avenues for artisans to sell their products directly to consumers.

Vikash Sindhu, Director of the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI), spoke on the institute's pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship among weavers. He detailed the entrepreneurship development training provided by RSETI, which equips weavers with the necessary skills to establish bank-financed units within their homes, thereby promoting self-reliance and financial independence.

Harsh Rawat, the Lead District Manager, further motivated the artisans by elaborating on various government schemes that are specifically designed to support the handloom sector. He provided insights into the Weavers’ MUDRA Scheme and the Artisans Credit Card Scheme, both of which offer financial assistance to artisans, enabling them to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

The celebration of National Handloom Day in Kishtwar underscored NABARD’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the handloom industry in the district. By focusing on the empowerment of female artisans and the preservation of traditional crafts, NABARD is not only promoting economic growth in the region but also ensuring that the rich cultural heritage of Kishtwar’s handloom sector continues to thrive.