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The State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Assam is the Apex Institute for Training & Research in Rural Development. It is an Autonomous Institute under the Govt. of Assam registered under Society Registered Act 1860. The Institute has diversified its activities in the recent years and emphasis has been attached on transfer of technology and development of required skilled for taking up self-employment oriented activities in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. |
| Growth Centre at Tetlia (Kamrup District) |
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Implementation of the projects ;
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Production of diversified value added handloom items is one of the selected economic activities taken up by SIRD for enlargement of scope for income generation. |
Growth Centre at Changsari |
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The following projects for product diversification on Muga, Eri and cotton are being implemented by the Institute.
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- Diversified handloom products under special Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana sponsored by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, and New Delhi.
- Economic empowerment of rural weaver sponsored by North Eastern Council, Shillong.
- Training, Technology and Marketing Development under special Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana sponsored by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, New Delhi.
- Economic empowerment of rural weaver sponsored by Oil India Limited, Duliajan, Assam.
- Integrated Cluster Development on Handlooms sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, New Delhi
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Growth Centre at Gohpur |
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As is usually the practice, the Institute takes a holistic approach in the implementing of the projects. Under the above mentioned projects, the Institute has taken care of various activities like rearing of cocoons, production of seeds for rearing, reeling and spinning of yarn, production of diversified value added Eri & Muga products etc.
Creation of Infrastructure ;
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| Front view of Growth Centre in Amoni at Nagaon District. |
Inside view of the Growth Centre |
The Institute has been running 9 Common Facility Centres/ Growth centers besides 8 local level training centers for transfer of technology relating to handloom, particularly Eri and Muga and providing support services like improved training on production of diversified Muga & Eri items, techniques for blending, making different textures, calendaring, design making etc.
Assistance to weavers/ Self Help Groups ;
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The Institute has developed 484 Self Help Groups at village level and setup 484 handloom production cum yarn processing units by assisting around 5000 weavers for production of diversified Eri & Muga products besides cotton items. The Institute is in a comfortable position to coordinate with different organizations and entrepreneurs for providing linkages for production of diversified Eri, Muga and cotton items. |
| A Village level handloom production cum yarn processing centre. |
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Marketing Linkages;
| The SIRD has developed a state level marketing Agency called AASTHA to establish marketing linkages for rural products. The AASTHA has got its city outlet at Guwahati. Some of the SHGs have also opened marketing centers at local level at their own initiative with the support of the Institute for marketing of Handloom products. |
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A view of Handloom stall at Saras Mela. |
Popularising Handloom products ;
The Institute is helping weavers to participate in Regional SARAS, Gramshree Melas, Trade fairs, Exhibition etc. to extend marketing network. This has helped weavers to identify marketing channels and establish linkages inside and outside the state.
Linkages with specialized Organisations
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The SIRD has established linkages with different Govt. Deptts, Corporation, Institutes, Agencies, Marketing organizations and entrepreneurs for development of Eri and Muga. It has been maintaining a well-coordinated relationship with the following organizations.
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata.
- Central Silk Board, Bangalore / Guwahati.
- National Institute of Design.Ahmedabad.
- Weavers Service Centre, Ministry of Handloom and Textile Guwahati.
- Fulia Tangail Saree Bayan Silpa Samabay Samity Ltd., Nodia district, West Bengal.
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| Facilitators and weavers undergoing practical training at NIFT,Kolkata. |
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Cluster development in Sericulture;
- The Institute has initiated steps for development of clusters in Sericulture particularly for enlargement of Eri & Muga activities in a joint effort with other organizations like NABARD.
