NABARD supports 90 women in Kulgam to master Papier Mâché craft

Pahloo (Kulgam), Mar 02: NABARD has initiated a 15-day Livelihood Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP) for 90 women from different Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Pahloo area of Kulgam district.
The program aims to empower them with the skills needed to excel in the art of papier mâché.
The program was inaugurated by Deputy General Manager NABARD, Surinder Singh, in the presence of DDM NABARD, Rouf Zargar, and Lead District Manager, Parvez Rashid.
The project will focus on skill development training in papier-mâché craft and its value addition, enabling the members to set up their own enterprise.
Surinder Singh, DGM NABARD, said that LEDP is a focused training program that provides end-to-end support to SHG members, enabling them to take up income-generating activities for livelihood.
“The program involves intensive training and handholding on various aspects, including understanding the market, potential mapping, and ultimately fine-tuning skills and entrepreneurship to manage the enterprise,” he said.
DGM Singh said that the program is supported by NABARD and implemented through the NGO VOESEP by engaging master trainers and subject craft experts from the field.
Rouf Zargar, District Development Manager (DDM) NABARD, said that the training will cover all aspects of papier-mâché production, design, prototypes, and sessions on marketing.
He said that the program shall be held in three batches, and all equipment and training material shall be provided free of cost under the project.
“The trainees would also be deputed to exposure visits to successful units in Srinagar for a learning experience” he added.
DDM said that these programs are ultimately aimed at bringing the craftsmen and artisans together for merging them into Off Farm Producer Companies. NABARD also supports successful SHGs and artisan groups in marketing products by sponsoring them to exhibitions and melas within and outside the state.
Notably, NABARD has been supporting artisans and weavers through its grant-based programs such as mEDP, LEDP, OFPO, and cluster-based programs.