Kerala - Kochi   

Major action plan for traditional workers

By G. Krishnakumar

KOCHI, APRIL 19. The School of Rural Development and Appropriate Technology (Sordat) at the Cochin University of Science and Technology(Cusat) has decided to evolve an action plan to help hundreds of traditional workers in the State focussing on introduction of the latest technologies and innovations to improve the quality of various traditional products.

The school has identified programmes for the welfare of traditional workers in sectors like coir, bamboo and pottery. As a preliminary step, the school will tie-up with agencies like the Science, Technology and Environment Committee (STEC) and National Innovation Foundation (NIF) for promotion of new technology among traditional workers.

The Kerala Integrated Development Centre, Karunagapally, the Kottapuram Integrated Development Society, the Peerumedu Development Society, the Integrated Rural Technology Centre (IRTC), Palakkad, and the Cochin University have agreed to cooperate in ventures aimed at helping the economically weak traditional workers in the State.

STEC will provide the link between Central and State Government agencies involved in programmes for traditional workers. The committee will share its expertise in projects initiated by the school in future. The Peerumedu Development Society will coordinate in projects in the general sector. The IRTC, Palakkad, will provide the technical expertise in innovative and technological programmes for the traditional workers.

Sordat will act as a coordinating centre for bringing researchers and traditional workers in the State on a common platform. Research and development projects in sectors like bamboo, coir and pottery will be introduced soon, said V.N.Sivasankara Pillai, Director, Sordat.

According to the action plan, personalised machines will be devised for workers involved in the screw pine leaf industry. A better technology for processing the leaf will be introduced with the help of researchers. The use of natural colours and methods to make the leaf softer will be promoted as part of the action plan.

For workers in the bamboo sector, the school has plans to devise smaller machines that would help them in splitting the bamboo. The agencies involved in the action plan will also chalk out methods to improve the design of bamboo products. In its initial findings, the participating agencies have felt the need to strengthen marketing of bamboo products made by the traditional workers.

The agencies have plans to imbibe the best of the marketing skills to promote the bamboo industry in the State. A value-addition will be made in the design of various bamboo products as part of the new strategy. The school will also chalk out methods to improve the overall finish of bamboo products.

The action plan has identified that the use of natural dye should be promoted in the coir industry. The school and associated agencies have also decided to highlight the theme of coir as an eco-friendly natural product. The potential of coir in the area of interior design will also be marketed.

In the bronze sector, the action plan has stressed the need to introduce newer technologies for value-addition to products. The latest trends in design and moulding would be imparted to bronze workers in the State. Better methods to make artefacts that could be effectively marketed in the country and abroad will be initiated.

Workers in the terracotta sector will be encouraged to come up with better design for their products. The participating agencies will also help the workers in identifying clay reserves in the State, as studies had found that there was an acute shortage of the raw material.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• Major action plan for traditional workers
• Railways yet to complete work on project
• `IT promises a better tomorrow for the blind'
• Sebastian Paul launches campaign in city
• Police rescue girl from `house arrest'
• Coop. Medical College moves to new campus
• Commonwealth skill development programme held
• Workshop on city development held
• Around The City
• In Kochi Today
• Reporter's Diary

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu