National Bamboo Mission (NBM) launched an MIS (Management Information Systems) module for the production of agarbatti sticks to collate
- the locations of stick making units,
- availability of raw material,
- functioning of the units, production capacity,
- marketing, etc.[1]
This is an attempt to synergize the linkages with the industry to enable effortless procurement from production units and to fix the information gaps. The NBM states are documenting all the production units to better assess the support that can be provided for ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make for the World’ as there are cross borders demands for Indian agarbatti.
Traditionally, the agarbatti sector provided large scale employment to the local workers. However with the ingress of cheap imports of round sticks and raw batti and various other factors the employment sector dwindle.
In 2019 a comprehensive study was carried out by NBM following which policy measures were taken by the Government to move raw batti imports from free to restricted category in August 2018 and to increase the import duty on round stick. This measure came as a boost to the domestic units.
Background of NBM
NBM was initially started as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2006-07.The mission was later subsumed under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during 2014-15 and continued till 2015-16. The restructured NBM was launched in 2018-19 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare[2].
Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission
- To increase the area under bamboo plantation in non-forest Government and private lands and supplement farm income.
- To improve post-harvest management through innovative primary processing units set up near the source of production, primary treatment and seasoning plants, market infrastructure and preservation technologies
- To promote product development at cooperative, micro, small and medium levels and feed bigger industry.
- To rejuvenate the under developed bamboo industry in India.
- To promote skill and capacity development and awareness generation for development of bamboo sector from production to market demand.
- To reduce dependency on bamboo imports by way of improved productivity and suitability of domestic raw material so as to enhance income of the primary producers.
Key features of the mission
- For ensuring a holistic development of the bamboo sector a cluster based approached has been developed by adopting a hub (industry) and spoke model. This provides backward and forward linkages- linking farmers to markets.
- Direct subsidy of 50% is given to farmers at Rs 1.00 lakh per ha, 100% to Government agencies and also to entrepreneurs for setting up various product development units.
- The Mission is presently being executed by 21 States, including all the 9 States of North East Region through the respective State Bamboo Missions.
Conclusion
Indian Bamboo products has huge potential in the domestic as well as international market with the use of latest tech and modern processes. With the aid of technical agencies, NBM is streamlining its plan to enhance domestic industrial activities thereby augmenting the farmer’s income.
NBM is also advising the States to provide quality planting material to farmers to enable them to carry out plantations of species of commercial value. The States are also advised to set up common facility centres and other post harvest units to cater to the requirements of both existing and new industries.
NBM, Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) schemes as well as States are working closely with industry partners to provide focused support to make India Atma Nirbhar in the agarbatti sector. There focus is to create a win-win situation for both farmers and Indian bamboo industry by bringing back livelihoods for the local workforce and at the same time modernizing the industrial sector.
[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1717614
[2] https://nbm.nic.in/Documents/pdf/NBM_Revised_Guidelines.pdf