PREFACE

At the outset, we must thank KVIC, Mumbai for empanelment of NMIMS Mumbai/Navi Mumbai as technical agency to take up Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) Projects. Under this project, we have received applications from various NGOs/ Associations/Co-operative Societies who have been recognized and approved as implementing agencies by the State KVIBs and KVIC, requesting us to prepare Diagnostic Study Reports and Detailed Project Reports for them. We want to put on record our thanks to them for reposing faith in our expertise to prepare the Technical Reports and support them in their endeavour to implement the projects. After having discussion with the Implementing Agencies, we found quite a few projects not meeting the requirements of SFURTI in terms of creation of sufficient income and employment opportunities on the one hand and professional management and required expertise to implement the project on the other. We are happy to note that Hingoli project based on the processing of Turmeric, Ginger, Chilli, Soyabean etc. has the potential to meet the requirements of SFURTI
Agri-based products such as spices and soya milk, paneer etc. Project in Hingoli, Maharashtra which is being promoted by Sant, Namdav Sevabhavi Sansthan (SNSS), a well-known society, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, has been a well-established organization, engaging 75 SHG/ Bachat Gat artisans at present in processing multiple edible spices and soya bean based products. However, due to the lack of capital and unavailability of skill- up-gradation, latest tools and machines, awareness about latest shape/size/make of the products and exposure to modern units, the scale of production is limited which results into low revenue and low wages. This kind of low profile business unit needs immediate intervention and rejuvenation in terms of organizing the artisans, providing them improved tools and techniques, upgrading their skills, enhancing their capability to prepare better products and receiving market support leading to better realization of revenue for the Implementing agency and higher assured wages for the women artisans.
This Report precisely offers that kind of a model to ensure that the envisaged objective of the project and the SFURTI scheme is achieved. While preparing this report, we have received whole hearted support from the management of NMIMS Navi Mumbai led by its Director Prof. P.N. Mukherjee. Shri Arun Kumar Dwivedi, Retired Director Ec.R., PMEGP, KVIC who was instrumental to help NMIMS empaneled as Technical Agency for SFURTI and currently is associated with the SFURTI project to help Dr. Chandan Adhikari, the overall in-charge of the SFURTI Project in terms of liaisoning with the KVIC, the Implementing Agency and visiting the cluster, interacting with the artisans, the traders and helping Dr. Adhikari to prepare the Detailed Project Report in its present form. We record our thanks to one and all for their support in this endeavour.
Dr. Chandan S Adhikari
Arun Kumar Dwivedi