To drive growth in the non-farm sector and promote rural development, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has launched the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) – Cluster Development Programme (CDP), with a focus on artisan-based cluster development. As Technical Support Agency (TSA), EDII provides specialised technical assistance to artisans across various clusters to foster entrepreneurship. In the past two months, the following interventions were undertaken in clusters:
Kolhapuri Chappal Cluster
January 13, 2026: Dr. Nadendla Manohar, Hon’ble Minister for Civil Supplies, Food and Consumer Affairs, Government of Andhra Pradesh, visited the Guntur SARAS Mela and appreciated the handmade Kolhapuri footwear.
On January 12, 2026, Shri M. B. Rajesh, Hon’ble Minister for Local Self-Governments, Rural Development and Excise, Government of Kerala, visited the stall at Chalissery SARAS Fair.
December 24, 2025: The Tata STRIVE team visited the Common Facility Centre, Kagal, to understand the operational model, skill development initiatives, and convergence opportunities for enhancing artisan employability and enterprise sustainability.
The producer company participated in Kudumbashree Kerala SARAS Fair, Chalissery held during January 2–12, 2026 and Guntur SARAS Fair, Andhra Pradesh held during January 6–18, 2026. Newly designed product range of Kolhapuri chappals were showcased, which received positive customer response for quality and design innovation. The sale was to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh.
Dahod Pottery Cluster
December 2, 2025: Shri Kanaiyalal Kishori, MLA, Dahod along with the NRLM TLM team from Jhalod visited Dahod Pottery Cluster. The dignitaries reviewed pottery production processes, cluster-level organisation, and the role of the producer company in supporting women artisans and market-linked pottery activities.
The producer company participated in Sashakta Nari Mela at Dahod on December 19, 2025, where Shri Kamleshbhai Patel, Hon’ble Minister of State (Finance, Police Housing, Jail, Border Security, Gruh Rakshak Dal and Gram Rakshak Dal, Civil Defence, Prohibition and Excise), Govt. of Gujarat and Shri Maheshbhai Bhuriya, MLA, Jhalod along with district officials interacted with the producer company representatives to understand the product range, production capacities and the model of women-led enterprise development.
Channapatna Wooden Toy Cluster
December 12, 2025: CTPCL participated in the SARAS Exhibition, Belgaum. During the event, Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, visited the CTPCL stall, reviewed the range of wooden toys on display and encouraged the team for their contribution to promoting traditional crafts through organised enterprise models.
CTPCL participated in a three-day Innowave-Innofair held at Christ University, Bengaluru. The company generated contacts with potential buyers while recording encouraging sales of Rs. 35,280.
Additionally, CTPCL took part in the Chintan Shivir event organised in Vijayanagar District during December 20–21, 2025. The company made sales worth Rs. 33,460 while establishing connections with new potential buyers.
Badarwas Jacket Cluster, Madhya Pradesh
Badarwas Jackets Producers’ Company Limited participated in India International Mega Trade Fair (IIMTF) held in Kolkata during December 5–26, 2025. The trade fair gave Badarwas Jackets a high level of market visibility and allowed women entrepreneurs engaged in the task to directly interact with customers and understand their requirements. This exposure also helped members in understanding pricing trends and ways of competitively positioning the product in the market.
To strengthen production, a five-day training programme on jacket stitching, cutting and skill upgradation was conducted during January 20–25, 2026 across the villages of Barai, Tilatili, Vijroni and Sumela. This training provided members with exposure to advanced methods and ways of enhancing quality.