The Indo-German Development Cooperation Project (IGDC) has organized a six months training programme aimed at encouraging forest dependent ‘Jhumias’ of Tripura to become
entrepreneurs.
The training is being conducted at the forest training school at Sepahijala in Tripura.
The main agenda behind the training is to gradually reduce the number of jhum (wandering) farmers by encouraging them to take up other trades. The training is expected to reduce their dependence directly on the forest which in turn would help in protecting the green cover in the state.
Forty youths from jhumia families have been identified through the village development committees for vocational training under the IGDC.
The youths will be undergoing skill development training in making traditional bamboo handicraft using modern tools. This would ensure them better return while focusing on the demand from market outside the state.
Special care has been taken to ensure that the tribal youths are trained in such a trade of which they are traditionally aware.
During the six months of residential training, the trainees will be provided free food and lodging along with a monthly stipend of around Rs 2000 so that their families get some financial benefit during their absence.
The aim behind the innovative programme is to encourage the trainees to continue their new vocation so that they do not return back to activities which may be harmful to the forest or nature.
The training not only develops the skill of the trainees but also gives firsthand knowledge and exposure about the market – for both availability of raw materials and selling their products.
Moreover, it has been noticed that even after successful completion of vocational training the candidates often cannot continue in the trade as they are unable to procure tools or materials due to poverty
or some other reason. Hence under the IGDC project the initiative of the distribution of tools and raw materials has been taken.
Bikash Debbarma, a trainee, said that the training will be of great help to him.
“We are learning to make lamp shades, baskets and various corner lamps and it will be a great help for us because we can do business with these items. In spite of easily available raw material that is bamboo in the country side we do not produce these items as we have not learned this trade,” he said.
“But now under the IGDC we are getting trained in this skill. We are getting accustomed in using various machines during our training. After completion of the training every group will get the required
machines set and with which we are planning to open a centre in our village and produce various items,” he added.
Dilip Debbarma, another trainee, said that the training will help him a lot in earning the livelihood.
“Even before we joined this training we had some knowledge about them but we were not aware about marketing these products. We use to sell our products in the rural areas for our livelihood. So I am learning to make these items along with others so that we can teach others in my village what I learned here,” he said.
IGDC project has been engaged in helping the young generation in villages to be self dependent. (ANI)