Cluster Development & Establishment of Common Facilities Service Centre for Handicrafts Sector

Considering the huge impact of the sector in the rural economy it is crucial that urgent steps are taken for comprehensive development.  A cluster approach for development is widely appreciated as successful model and Government of India have identified cluster development as an important component in the National Handicraft Development programme. In line with this the Directorate of Industries and Commerce have initiated steps for identifying and developing clusters in traditional sectors of crafts across the state.

Thus 11 Handicraft clusters have been identified as detailed below

State Awards for Craftmen of Kerala

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the scheme of State Awards is to give recognition to Master Craftsmen who have made outstanding contribution in terms of excellence of craftsmanship and development of crafts.  The award is to serve an incentive to such craftsman to continue their pursuit as well as an example to others who may strive to receive the same.

SCOPE

The Sate award shall be open to all craftsmen residing in Kerala and shall be made on the basis of State Level selection. The Awards shall be given to the Crafts for their outstanding work in the following:

Major Crafts

1.   Wood craft                         

2.   Natural fiber                                                                                                                                            

3.   Cane and Bamboo

4.   Lace and Embroidery    

5.   Metal ware 

6.   Coconut shell based handicrafts                                                                                                                                            

7.   Miscellaneous crafts (items not included above)

ELIGIBILITY

1.All Craftsmen residing in Kerala for more than 10 years are eligible to compete for the State Award.                                                                                                        2.A Craft person shall be eligible for a state award or state Merit Certificate in a given craft only once in his/her life time.                                                              3.Any Craft person who has previously been won the state award/awarded to Merit Certificate shall not be eligible for being awarded another award/State Merit Certificate in the same craft. However the existing Merit Certificate holders shall be eligible for State Award.

THE AWARD CONTENTS

There shall be 7 State Awards and 7 State Level Merit Certificates.  Each State Awards shall consists of a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-, a brass plaque and an angavastram.  Each State Level Merit Certificate shall consist of besides a certificate, a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/-

The award for the year 2023 was distributed by the Honourable minister for Industries, Law and Coir on 06-Feb-2025

The activities included in this scheme are development of Bamboo related industries under the oversight of state bamboo mission and Kerala State bamboo development corporation.

The components of the scheme are

1.Conducting skill upgradation training programmes for artisans and craftsmen in making diversified and value added products of bamboo and for increasing the sales of bamboo products

2.Promotional activities in Bamboo Sector including participation in national/international events

3.Development of Bamboo-Supply chain and Setting up of Treatment Plants and Distribution centres

4.Training through need assessment

5.Setting up of CFCs

6.Organise “Kerala Bamboo fest” with international participation

7.Hand Holding of Innovation Centre.

In the Beedi Industrial sector Kerala Dinesh beedi, the central co-operative society has a major role. Since the beedi production and consumption is not being promoted a large number of traditional beedi workers are out of the job and they need to be rehabilitated.

Kerala Dinesh beedi is engaged in activities to diversify their product line from beedi to other areas such as Coconut products,Cashew products,Food processing,Garments,Curry powder,Computer training courses etc by their brand name.