The Hindu Business Line : 6 EPCs submit projects under Backward Region Govt Fund

Six export promotion councils have already made presentations to the Commerce Ministry in connection with the Backward Region Government Fund (BRGF) programme initiated by the Government of India through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj headed by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Joint Review Meeting

The EPCs are Shellac & Minor Forest Produce EPC (Shefexil), Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, Handloom Export Promotion Council and the Apparel Export promotion Council.

According to the Union Minister of State for Commerce, Mr Jairam Ramesh, the Councils have been asked to give their proposals "greater operational content," keeping in view the BRGF guidelines and submit these to the Ministry by November 15, 2006. The two Ministries are likely to hold a joint review meeting sometime by the end of November once the final proposals by the EPCs are received.

The Shefexil, with some 8-10 major product groups (640 individual products) under it, has proposed three product-specific projects, namely, Bamboo (product manufacturing and competency development), Sesame Seeds and Botanical Herbs, for consideration under the BRGF programme, particularly to benefit the economically challenged and weaker sections of society.

In the context of bamboo, the plan is to set up a bamboo mat weaving co-operative in collaboration with State Governments.

The primary objective of the Shefexil project is to increase value-added bamboo production (by over 300 per cent) in India by 2011, raise exports of such bamboo items to Rs 15 crore (from the current Rs 96 lakhs) by 2011 and ensure benefits to some 15,000 beneficiaries (an income of Rs 25,200 per annum per beneficiary).

The target areas are Mizoram (6,000 beneficiaries) in Lawngtlai backward district and Manipur (3,000 beneficiaries) in Temenlong.

The proposed strategy involves tie-ups with bamboo mat processing units and to help them access abundant high quality raw materials for increasing the production of Bamboo Mat Boards. The focus will be on poor tribal women and families with access to bamboo. Support will be given in the form of training — for providing implements and facilities for mat weaving.

In the case of sesame seeds, the plan is to increase production to 4 lakh tonnes in West Bengal by 2011, and increase national exports from Rs 793 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 1,200 crore by 2011. The identified target areas are Bankura, Midnapore East, Midnapore West and Murshidabad.

Besides setting up of Sesamum Seeds Farms in the State, the proposal also envisages creation of a primary product application & research centre for product development under the guidance of Bidhan Chandra Kkrishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Kalyani, in Nadia district of West Bengal.

More Stories on : Rural Development | SSI | Agriculture

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page