What is Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana?
The Coir Industry is a labour-intensive and export-oriented industry that employs over seven lakh workers, predominantly women. However, the decentralized operations in the sector, without adequate training for spinners, weavers, and artisans engaged in value-added product manufacturing, have been posing problems in ensuring quality in the final products.
To sustain the demand for coir products and improve prospects of Indian coir products, it is important to become quality-conscious. So, the Coir Board has been organizing quality improvement camps, skill upgradation and entrepreneurship development programs across the country.
Additionally, the Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY) is a woman-oriented self-employment scheme implemented by the Coir Board in 1994 to train women artisans. The ongoing central sector scheme aims to continue this training and quality improvement program with modifications based on recommendations from an independent evaluation report.
Objectives of the Skill Upgradation And Mahila Coir Yojana:
The “Skill Upgradation & Mahila Coir Yojana” program is designed to enhance the coir industry by providing a skilled workforce, assisting in technology transfer, and promoting self-employment opportunities for rural women in coir-producing regions.
The program has two distinct components:
Skill Upgradation focuses on training personnel in various roles, such as supervisors, instructors, and artisans, to meet the requirement of a skilled workforce to develop the coir industry.
Mahila Coir Yojana, which aims to assist trained women artisans in procuring spinning equipment/coir processing machinery from the PMEGP, provide self-employment to woman artisans in rural regions producing coir fibre and enabling them to get better returns in improving productivity and quality and provides them with a better work environment by eliminating the struggle involved in traditional spinning and product manufacturing methods.
One of the program’s key objectives is to encourage new entrepreneurs in traditional and non-traditional areas under Entrepreneurship Development Programmes to venture into the coir industry and trade, thereby accelerating the sector’s development in the existing and new areas.
The program also aims to inculcate quality consciousness among the workers at the grass root level and educate them on proper methods of producing standard quality fiber, yarn and products.
This will help create awareness among the coconut growers, entrepreneurs etc., to set up coir-based units and modernize the existing units for better productivity and quality and enhance earnings.
The program is expected to contribute significantly to generating employment in rural areas of the coconut-producing States. This will help improve the livelihoods of rural communities, promote sustainable development and provide an economic boost to the region.
The “Skill Upgradation & Mahila Coir Yojana” program aims to improve the coir industry, provide employment opportunities, and promote sustainable development in rural areas.
The Importance of Skill Upgradation in the Coir Industry:
Skill upgradation is essential for the coir industry to remain competitive in the global market. In recent years, the Indian government has taken several steps to modernize and upgrade the coir industry. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched several schemes to provide training and skill upgradation to coir workers. These schemes include the Coir Vikas Yojana, which aims to assist in technology upgradation, product diversification, and market development.
An important aspect of skill upgradation in the coir industry is product diversification. Coir has a wide range of applications, and there is potential for the industry to expand into new markets. However, this requires coir workers to have the necessary skills and knowledge to develop new products and processes. The Coir Board, the apex body for the coir industry in India, has launched several initiatives to promote product diversification and innovation.
Data from the Coir Board shows that the coir industry in India has grown significantly in recent years. The total production of coir and coir products in India increased significantly, with the increase in exports from Rs. 2281.65 crores in 2016-17 to Rs. 4307.05 in 2021-22.
Benefits of Skill Upgradation for the Coir Industry:
Skill upgradation is essential for the coir industry to remain competitive and sustainable in the global market. Here are some of the benefits of skill upgradation for the coir industry:
1.Increased productivity and efficiency: Skill upgradation can help coir workers to learn new techniques and technologies that can improve the quality and efficiency of coir production. This can increase productivity and reduce production costs, making coir products more competitive.
Improved quality of products: Skill upgradation can help coir workers to improve the quality of coir products. It can increase demand for coir products, particularly in high-end markets.
Diversification of products: Skill upgradation can help coir workers to develop new products and processes, leading to product diversification. It can help to reduce the industry’s dependence on traditional coir products and expand into new markets.
Increased competitiveness: Skill upgradation can help coir workers to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technology. It can help the coir industry to remain competitive in the global market and compete with synthetic materials.
Employment generation: Skill upgradation can create employment opportunities for coir workers, particularly women and marginalized communities. It can help to improve their economic status and contribute to the overall development of the rural economy.
Environmental sustainability: Skill upgradation can help coir workers adopt sustainable production practices and reduce the industry’s environmental impact. It can promote the long-term sustainability of the coir industry.
Benefits of Skill Upgradation for the Coir Workers and Rural Economy:
Skill upgradation in the coir industry can have several benefits for coir workers and the rural economy. Here are some of the benefits:
Increased Income: Skill upgradation can help coir workers to learn new techniques and technologies that can improve the quality and efficiency of coir production. This can lead to increased productivity and income for coir workers.
2.Better Job Prospects: Skill upgradation can help coir workers develop new skills and knowledge to make them more employable. It can lead to greater job security and economic stability for coir workers.
Improved quality of life: With increased earning potential and employability, coir workers can improve their living standards with access to better health facilities, education, and quality of life.
Empowerment of women: Coir industry is one of the major employment sectors for women in rural areas. Skill upgradation can help women coir workers develop new skills and knowledge, leading to greater empowerment and participation in decision-making processes.
Promotion of entrepreneurship: Skill upgradation can help coir workers develop new products and processes, which can lead to new business opportunities and the promotion of entrepreneurship in the rural economy.
Contribution to the local economy: The coir industry significantly contributes to the rural economy, particularly in the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Skill upgradation can promote the growth and development of the coir industry, leading to increased economic opportunities and prosperity in the local community.
Empowering Women in the Coir Industry: The Mahila Coir Yojana:
It is vital to recognize the importance of women’s participation and empowerment in the coir industry and provide the necessary support, resources, and training to facilitate their active involvement.
Economic Empowerment: Women’s participation and empowerment in the coir industry can lead to increased economic growth and development in their families and communities. With the right training, skills, and access to resources, women can become entrepreneurs, coir producers, and coir artisans and contribute to the local economy.
Environmental Empowerment: Women’s participation in the coir industry can also promote sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. As stewards of natural resources, women can bring their knowledge and experiences to bear in coir production, ensuring that the industry operates ecologically sound and sustainable.
Health Empowerment: Women’s participation in the coir industry can also lead to better health outcomes. Through access to income and resources, women can better provide for themselves and their families, leading to improved nutrition, healthcare, and overall well-being.
Objective of Mahila Coir Yojana:
The Mahila Coir Yojana’s primary objective is to provide women with employment opportunities by enhancing their participation and productivity in the coir industry. The scheme aims to achieve the following objectives:
To empower women by providing training and skill upgradation in coir processing and value addition.
To generate sustainable employment opportunities for women in the coir industry.
To promote the use of modern technology in coir processing and production to improve the quality and marketability of coir products.
To encourage the creation of women-led coir enterprises by providing financial assistance and other support services.
To promote entrepreneurship among women in the coir industry by providing them access to credit, marketing, and other support services.
To enhance women’s income in the coir industry, thus contributing to poverty reduction and economic development.
Key Features of Mahila Coir Yojana:
Financial Assistance: The scheme provides financial assistance to women in the coir industry for purchasing equipment and machinery, as well as for working capital and marketing expenses.
Skill Upgradation: The scheme aims to provide training and skill upgradation to women in coir processing and value addition, focusing on enhancing their productivity and quality of work.
Subsidies: The scheme provides subsidies on equipment and machinery to encourage the adoption of modern technology in coir processing and production.
Entrepreneurship Development: The scheme promotes entrepreneurship among women in the coir industry by providing them access to credit, marketing, and other support services.
Market Linkages:The scheme aims to facilitate market linkages for women entrepreneurs by creating linkages between them and potential buyers through exhibitions, trade fairs, and other promotional activities.
Special Focus on SC/ST and North Eastern Region: The scheme focuses on assisting women from Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and women entrepreneurs from the North Eastern Region of India.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The scheme has a monitoring and evaluation mechanism in place to ensure effective implementation and to measure the scheme’s impact on women’s economic empowerment in the coir industry.
Challenges In the Implementation of Skill Upgradation In The Coir Industry:
The implementation of Skill Upgradation, especially in the coir industry, faces several challenges, including:
Lack of Awareness: A significant challenge is a need for more awareness among women in the coir industry about the importance of skill upgradation and the availability of schemes and training programs. This leads to low participation rates and reduces the impact of the scheme.
Access to Training: Women in the coir industry often need more training facilities and trainers in their areas. This makes it difficult for them to acquire the necessary skills to enhance their productivity and quality of work.
Limited Financial Resources: Women in the coir industry may need more financial resources to invest in their training or to purchase new equipment and machinery. This restricts their ability to upgrade their skills and technology, which can hinder their participation and productivity in the industry.
Technological Obsolescence: Women in the coir industry may need to use efficient equipment and machinery that produce low-quality products. Upgrading to modern technology requires a significant investment, which may only be feasible for some women entrepreneurs.
Limited Market Access: Women entrepreneurs in the coir industry may need help accessing markets due to a lack of information, limited transportation facilities, and inadequate storage and packaging facilities. This can result in limited sales opportunities and reduced income.
Lack of government support:In terms of funding, technical assistance, and market linkages can also hinder the effective implementation of Skill Upgradation programs.
Addressing these challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and women entrepreneurs.
Implementation of Skill Upgradation Under Coir Board
The Coir Board provides skill development training to artisans and workers in the coir industry through its training centres across the country. The training programs are designed based on the industry’s needs and align with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) norms.
Trainees receive a stipend of up to Rs.3,000 per month, and trainers receive an honorarium of up to Rs.15,000 per month. Financial assistance is also provided to training sponsoring agencies to cover operational costs.
Selection of trainees is made through written tests and recommendations from authorities, and an official Committee of the Coir Board conducts the selection process. The payment is made through e-payments/DBT mode or crossed cheques, and the Regional/Sub Regional Officer verifies the attendance. Overall, the Coir Board’s skill upgradation program is an excellent opportunity for workers and artisans to develop new skills and improve their employability in the coir industry.
Conclusion:
The Coir Board and Mahila Coir Yojana are programs that provide skill development and self-employment opportunities to artisans and rural women in the coir industry. The Coir Board provides modern machinery and technology training, while the Mahila Coir Yojana focuses on empowering women through training and business incubation.
Both programs aim to improve productivity, working conditions, and income for those in the coir industry and ultimately improve the standard of living for those involved. Overall, these programs aim to boost the coir industry in India by developing a skilled workforce.
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