SATISH HANDA
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise in order to develop rural industry in the country has introduced Gram Vikas Yozna (GVY) for the production of ‘Agarbatti’, honey and earthen pottery in rural areas for which training as well as financial assistance will be provided to those looking for self-employment opportunities by setting up small scale units in rural areas. According to an MSME spokesman, there is also planning to develop cluster based production units in these sectors in a year or so. Information reveals, there is huge demand of ‘Agarbatti’ in domestic markets as well in other countries of value worth Rs 7500 crore annually , which include exports of value worth Rs 750 crore annually at present providing employment to nearly five lakh persons in the country.
Information reveals, demand of ‘Agarbatti’ is fast increasing day by day in every house as well as at holy places or a holy occasion in the society in our country apart from nearly 90 countries across the world. Information further reveals, government has taken decision to start production of ‘Agarbatti’ as a rural pilot project in U.P, Bihar, , Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnatka and few other states to undertake its marketing through retail showroom managed by Khadi Village Industries Commission all over in the country.
Similarly, over a lakh ton honey produced and processed in India every year has much demand not only in domestic markets but also in other countries including Britain, Germany, Spain, America, Japan, France, Italy and many other countries. According to Haryana State Horticulture Department, information, government is providing attractive packages as well as subsidies to boost profession as bees keeping in the state, besides supply of large varieties of honey and training in processing the same at Integrated Bee Keeping & Processing Centre near Kurukshtra in Haryana to boost sale of honey in export markets..
Under GVY scheme, there is planning to develop rural business in manufacturing earthen pottery in attractive designs for which necessary training to manufacture these utensils will be provided by Khadi Village Industries Commission to those in age group 18-55 years willing to adopt this profession and Ministry of MSME will promote sale of such pottery participating in fairs and exhibitions organised not only in the country as well as in other countries from time to time, besides sale at all Khadi retail shops in the country..
