Sustainable Livelihoods Post Pandemic

All over India 7 million artisans toll ceaselessly in the handicrafts sector to keep our rich culture and heritage alive The pandemic has significantly affected this informal and vulnerable workforce. 

What is of concern is how to create sustainable livelihoods for this marginalised section of our society.

The critical challenges faced by this sector are:

1.     Unorganised sector

2.     Outdated technology

3.     Skill deficit

4.     Low productivity of workers

5.     Not Remunerative for artisans

6.     Attrition from the craft

7.     Poor quality of products

8.     Lack of standards/certification

9.     Products not contemporary

10.   Lack of market linkages

These problems cannot be addressed piecemeal. They must be looked at holistically.

MAYA conducted a comprehensive survey of 502 artisans in Channapatna and analysed their socio-economic conditions. Based on a detailed SWOT analysis, MAYA has created a detailed revival program for the Channapatna lacware toys cluster (with GI Geographical Indicator) which includes:

1. A CFC (Common Facility Centre) that serves as a centre of excellence for artisans
2. New technology that reduces drudgery for the artisan and shifts focus to the 'art/craft' aspects
3. Quality emphasis and International certifications to facilitate exports
4. Skill upgradation
5. Design Studio to make designs contemporary 
6. Healthcare and social security benefits
7. Implementation of World Fair Trade practices
8. Establishing market linkages.

For these initiatives MAYA has been successful in securing grants from the MSME Ministry and NABARD which meets 80% of the project fund requirements.

MAYA is appealing to friends and well wishers to help with the balance 20% contribution.

MAYA is also scaling up its livelihoods mission by adopting 2 new clusters:

1. An all women weavers/embroidery workers cluster in Chamarajanagar, Karnataka
2. A natural dye - growing, extraction and processing cluster with a textiles focus in Bagalkot, Karnataka 

MAYA's initiatives are game changing and transformative. 

In the Channapatna we have formed an Artisan owned and managed producer company called ArtisanPride. This is already 150 artisans strong and expected to grow to 500 members in 3 to 5 years, nurturing an entrepreneurial sprit. We have already trained and inducted a large number of women into a traditionally male dominated craft.

MAYA has a strong presence in the district through its health navigator network. They serve over 2000 artisans family members by providing doorstep health services.

MAYA has subscribed to doctors tele-consulting services (available to multiple local languages) and has provided artisans free access to it.

All artisans are enrolled in social security and accident insurance programs.

Artisan incomes will increase by 50% over the next 3 to 5 years.

MAYA's work in the Chamarajanagar, Karnataka weavers cluster will benefit 500 weavers/embroidery workers and in the natural dyes cluster in Bagalkot, they will benefit 1000 workers. MAYA will extend its Health Navigator network to serve these communities too.