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NGO initiatives

  • 30/03/1996

NGO initiatives Two Delhi-based NGOs, Development Alternatives (DA) and the Centre for Technology Development (CTD), provide examples of fairly successful, contrasting modes of disseminating technology to artisans.

DA believes that technology interventions succeed only if they are commercialised. "If a technology does not profit everyone, it is useless," says Ashok Khosla, president. The Tara loom, developed and marketed by DA, is an example of this rationale -a product of a national survey and of a series of modification trials wrought on traditional loom designs. Although the loom costs twice as much as the traditionalloom (Rs 12,000), its speed allows weavers to earn three-four times more. Only 12,000 looms have been sold so far. The demand is poor because capital constrained artisans cannot afford the initial investment.

The CTD's approach and involvement with the leather sector, on the other hand, was wholly non-commercial. It established projects at block levels, creating a network of fiayers who supply hides and carcasses directly to the project, eliminating middlemen. It also developed a pressing machine to produce flat, smooth and unwrinkled leather and a small carcass utilisation cooker. The machines were introduced to artisans through two department of science and technology (DST) projects in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, and Dehra Dun in Ut tar Pradesh. These technologies allow the artisans to use animal by-products.

These projects have now become economically viable. Each project employs three-four fiayers and generates Rs 50 per carcass as surplus. The Mandi unit has an annual turnover of Rs 10 lakh, and provides income to about 100 fiayers. In 1989 the DST asked the CDT to initiate the replication of the project on an all-India level; following this, 17 units have been set up in 12 states. Now, with the help of the ministry of rural development and the Central Leather Research Institute, 25 more such projects are expected to be set up in the country.

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