Rural Artisans Research Articles

Innovation as a booster of rural artisan entrepreneurship: a case study of black pottery

Purpose Rural entrepreneurship is an emergent field of study, with these start-ups becoming one of the most noticeable ways to promote rural development, but the few studies concerning innovation among artisans have thus far only been exploratory. The purpose of this paper is to examine the entrepreneurial artisan initiatives of young innovators in a peripheral northern area of Portugal where black pottery is produced. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data analysis was carried out on in-depth semi-structured interviews with three young artisan innovators and entrepreneurs and one individual who functions as a cultural booster. The content analysis was done using QSR International’s NVivo Version 11 software. Findings These young entrepreneurs have developed commercial activities and introduced innovations (i.e. design and process) into black pottery production, while taking advantage of endogenous materials, local culture and traditional knowledge. These individuals have sought not only to generate their own innovations but also to keep their culture and local traditions alive, thereby contributing to rural development by establishing networks with local young artisans. Research limitations/implications Some limitations are linked to the sample’s size and basis in a specific geographic reality. Practical implications The findings provide a fuller understanding of why some rural artisan firms grow, suggesting that artisans’ networks and innovative and entrepreneurial behaviours play a key role. Originality/value This research’s results contribute to the literature on the role that innovation can play as a booster of rural artisanship through networks and entrepreneurship. This paper is among the first to discuss black pottery as a form of artisan entrepreneurship. The results underline the value of innovations and networks, which were found to be the core ingredients in rural artisan entrepreneurship.

Multipurpose Energy Saving Manual Compressor for Artisans in African Countries

This Research work involves the design, fabrication and testing of a manually operated compressor for use of artisans and small scale vulcanizing activities. The developed machine consists of chain sprocket arrangement to a flywheel attached to a pulley which powers the compressor as well as a storage tank to receive air by foot pedaling. The article is an innovative product to meet the needs of rural African Artisans that uses air compressor for their daily activities . The design is such that the chain sprocket provides the compressor with a driving force in conjunction with the flywheel thereby replacing the prime mover. Prototype pilot test carried out on the developed manual air compressor could generates 10 Psi ie 0.69bar-volume of air in 60 seconds. A new design with better parameter of the machine was done to improve it’s proficiency after testing for broad application even for the handicap Artisans.

Multipurpose Energy Saving Manual Compressor for Artisans in African Countries

This Research work involves the design, fabrication and testing of a manually operated compressor for use of artisans and small scale vulcanizing activities. The developed machine consists of chain sprocket arrangement to a flywheel attached to a pulley which powers the compressor as well as a storage tank to receive air by foot pedaling. The article is an innovative product to meet the needs of rural African Artisans that uses air compressor for their daily activities . The design is such that the chain sprocket provides the compressor with a driving force in conjunction with the flywheel thereby replacing the prime mover. Prototype pilot test carried out on the developed manual air compressor could generates 10 Psi ie 0.69bar-volume of air in 60 seconds. A new design with better parameter of the machine was done to improve it’s proficiency after testing for broad application even for the handicap Artisans.

Late Antique Ionic Column Capitals in the Countryside of Central Palestine between Provincial Trends and Classical Traditions

This article provides the first comprehensive synthesis of one of the least studied styles of column capitals—the Ionic order—in the countryside of the central Palestinian hill country in Late Antiquity. In this study a suggested typology and chronology of the documented finds of Ionic capitals—all are made of local limestone—is presented, while taking into account the geographical distribution of the capital types, and their archaeological/architectural and cultural contexts. Ionic capitals in late antique central Palestine were almost exclusively used in rural settlements of various forms, mostly villages (usually Christian but also Jewish and possibly Samaritan) and monasteries, and were virtually absent from the region's urban centers. While only one capital type represents the (quasi-)canonical or classical style of this order, the other five types clearly demonstrate provincial trends, especially an increasing heterogeneity in the development of the Ionic capital in the region, and the genuine contribution of rural artisans in this respect. The typological diversity and widespread distribution of Ionic-style capitals in the countryside of the late antique central Palestinian hill country is interpreted within local and pan-Levantine historical and socio-cultural contexts. This research inter alia suggests that the specific socio-political history of the central Palestinian hill country during the Early Roman period can partly explain the marked distinction between this area and the regions to its north regarding the evolution of the Ionic style in late antique times. By also using the code-switching model, this study further hypothesizes that the unique Ionic capitals used in the central Palestinian hill country contributed to the development of the cultural identity of the local rural population.

Study About Awareness and Availing of Various Direct and Indirect Fiscal Incentives and its Impact on Financial and Strategic Decisions of MSMEs

In India as well as abroad, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are very well known for their contribution to generate employment, export, inclusive growth, and innovation with very low or medium level of investment. However, their contribution to the economy depends upon their competitiveness and sustainability; and in this respect, MSMEs have distinct disadvantage as compared to the large industries. What is required is to awaken the firms for functional competencies for growth and for that financial institutions and the government should find ways and means to spread awareness and sustain its growth for the interest of the nation. Furthermore, in order to undo the setbacks suffered during the British colonial period by craftsman and rural artisans who constituted the backbone of India’s traditional and self-sufficient economy; the policymakers’ task was to make them once again stand on their own feet. In this regard, the government has designed fiscal policy and fiscal instruments as a tool to achieve specific macroeconomic and sector-wise objectives. However, fiscal incentives act as an instrument to enhance the growth of industry and in turn that of economy is a debatable issue all over the world. The present article attempts to examine different types of fiscal incentives given to the MSME units through the survey cum interview method; for that 216 units of GIDC were visited and interviewed. The result revealed that the government must improve awareness of incentives and reduce the procedural complexities to avail it. Furthermore, it was found that direct fiscal incentives such as investment subsidy for establishment of new units and interest rate subsidy and not indirect incentives such as energy review subsidy, cash subsidy for assessment of water consumption and so on are preferred by MSMEs.

Present scenario of regional rural banks in India

Regional rural banks (RRBs) play an important role in the rural development of the country. They have created a huge banking network in rural areas. At present, most of the RRBs are facing the problems of long overdue, nonrecovery of loans and other problems. RRBs were established to mobilise savings from rural areas and to provide loans to small and marginal farmers rural artisans, agricultural labours and other backward classes of rural people. They also provide other banking services to the rural people. The RRBs also play an important role in the implementation of Central and state government sponsored programmes of poverty alleviation. Special facilities have been granted to RRBs by the RBI and NABARD do that they can manage competition from stronger banks like commercial banks. Several committees have been formed from time to time to provide recommendations for improving the financial performance of RRBs. In 2007 the GOI took a decision of amalgamation of RRBs. The process of amalgamation started in September 2005 and continued upto march 2008. In the process 145 out of 196 RRBs were amalgamated to form new 45 RRBs by March, 2007. In view of the importance of RRBs in the rural economy our objective in this paper is to examine why the RRBs lost their focus and to consider the problems and challenges faced by the RRBs in their functioning. The paper also gives a set of recommendations for improving the functioning of RRBs. The present status and future plans for RRBs are also considered in this context.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL OF KASHI GOMTI SAMYUT GRAMIN BANK : WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EASTERN U.P.

Kashi Gomti Samyut Gramin Bank is a rural bank of Eastern UP. Rural Bank is a local level banking organizations which operates in different states of India. RRBs had been constituted with a view to serve basic banking and financial services in the rural areas. It mobilizes financial resources from rural / semi-urban areas and provides loans and advances primarily to small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, and rural artisans. It is also worked as variety of different functions as an agent like carrying out government operations related to disbursement of wages of MGNREGA workers, distribution of pensions, locker facilities, debit and credit cards facilities etc. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the Republic of India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It covers 243,290 square kilometers (93,933 sq mi), equal to 6.88% of the total areas of India, and is the fourth largest Indian state by area and the third largest Indian state by economy, with a GDP of ?9,763 billion (US$150 billion). Agriculture and service industries are the largest parts of the state's economy. More than 60 percent population's livelihood is based on agriculture. Due to non availibity of banking facilities, they could not maintain qualities and quantities of food grains production; adaptation of new technology and also compensation of natural calamities losses. KGSG bank established in UP's main rural bank to solve the problems of rural. This study has been attempted an appraisal of the performance of KGSG bank in esteem of Period-wise Deposit and Advance Growth, Analysis of Income, Analysis of Expenditure and Analysis of Profitability etc.

Performance Evaluation of Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank towards Priority Sector Lending in Karnataka

<div><p><em>Rural Banking in India refers to a set up of financial institutions for the economic improvement of rural poor in rural areas. The Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank is the one of the leading RRBs in Karnataka and has occupied an unique place in the multiagency approach applied to provide agricultural and rural credit in rural areas of Karnataka. </em><em>The KVG Bank has the front runner in catering to the needs of the farmers, traders, rural artisans, Professionals, self-employed, contractors and all other sections of the society.</em></p><p><em>In this paper an attempt is made to evaluate the role of the Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank towards priority sector lending in Karnataka, through the parameters like disbursement of loan to various priority sectors like Agriculture, allied Activities, SSI units and Trade or Services. The study reported that,</em> <em>the KVG Bank has provided highest loan to agriculture as compare to other sector of the rural area and playing the significant role towards the development of agriculture sector. Further it is noted that the priority sector advances of the bank to allied activities is insignificant reflecting its utter negligence of allied activities.</em></p></div>

Issues of Productivity, Employment and Exploitation in Artisanal Silk Industry of West Bengal

Sericulture is an important livelihood option in rural West Bengal providing employment to more than 1 lakh families in the rural and semi-urban areas. The productivity level of sericulture (land and leaf) is not low compared to that of the major silk producing states in the country, which opens further scope to research and analyse about its productivity. This paper has explored several dimensions of its growth pattern during the planning periods of West Bengal. A field level survey in the major silk producing district of West Bengal has exposed few factors like household size and male hired labourers which are positively raising the level of average employment in the sericulture farms, while education level acts as a significant reducing factor, along with mandays involved with the activities. It implies sericulture is still only a popular livelihood activity among the backward people. On the other hand, small holding capacity of the rural farmers and poor economic condition of the artisans have been identified as major impediments in the path of development of sericulture in West Bengal. The rural moneylenders/ traders (dadani mahajan) utilizes this advantage and extracts a major part of the pay-off intruding into the supply chain of the industry. In the textile policy, the objective of the government always centres on the issues like extension of sericulture through acreage and production, ignoring the issues like ‘economic-exploitation’ faced by the artisanal classes at each level of value addition in the supply chain. In the absence of institutional apathy and well-linked credit system in the remote rural areas coupled with financial illiteracy of the rural artisans, the objective of development of artisanal silk industry in West Bengal seems to be far away.

Economic Analysis of Value Added Products from Lantana, Bamboo and Other Forest Trees for Rural Artisan

Economic analysis of value added products from Lantana, Bamboo and other forest trees for rural artisan was carried out in Himachal Pradesh and in rural sector of Punjab, documented on the basis of informations gathered from the rural artisans adopting a multi-stage random sampling, selecting families engaged in forest based activities. Income generated per annum was categorized in four sections with framing of different activities through pre tested schedule on bamboo work Pattal & Donna making, Broom making, Mat making, Bat making, Chirpine product making in Himachal Pradesh and Mulberry basket, Rope making, bamboo work and broom making in Punjab. Economic analysis of wood based value added products revealed that Lantana camara, Bamboo species, Bauhinia vahlii, Phoenix spp. Curcuma angustifolia, Pinus roxburghii, Bombax ceiba, Morus alba, Elelliopsis binnata are recommended for adopting rural artisan activities. Study concludes that the species have the good potentials for value added products for the families of low economic group and professional background engaging in forest based activities in view of artisanal works more lucrative.

Self-help Group Participation & Women Artisans of Shantiniketan Leather Cluster, West Bengal: An Empirical Analysis

Micro-finance refers to small savings, credit and insurance services. These services are extended to socially and economically disadvantaged segments of society. The women artisans from Shantiniketan leather cluster, who have a long tradition of manufacturing leather bags and other accessories, have changed their lives and their socio-living condition in many aspects, by adopting the ways of self-help group formation under different coordinating agencies (specially the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) since 1992). These self-help groups have been extended soft loans of various natures; through the respective coordinating agencies. These initiatives have added different and new positive dimensions in respect to the lives of members of such groups. This structured and questionnaire based feedback empirical study, attempts to evaluate the level of positive changes that occurred in the lives of under-privileged rural women artisans, engaged in leather craftsmanship under several self-help groups, coordinated by different NGOs at the grass-root level.

NEDFi: Transforming Lives through Shared Value Creation

This case is about a public limited company that transformed the lives of poor village artisans living in the remotest part of north-east India. While the public and private limited companies face constant criticism and increasing cynicism about their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable livelihood creation initiatives; NEDFi, a public limited company and an arm of the Ministry of Development of the north-eastern region of India undertook an initiative to transform the lives of many underprivileged rural artisans, especially women through its CSR and sustainability initiatives. NEDFi’s water hyacinth craft project, undertaken initially as a CSR initiative was able to meet both the economic and social values of the firm and community, respectively. Thus, the CSR/sustainability initiatives of the company were potentially transformed into creation of ‘shared value’ at the later stages of the programme that achieved roaring success by uplifting the rural poor through economic empowerment and unleashing the potential of women artisans.

Structure of Assets among Households in Rural Punjab: An Empirical Analysis

The present work is an attempt to study the structure of household assets across the categories in rural Punjab. It reveals that the value of durable assets is the highest, followed by those of farm assets, financial assets, livestock assets and non-agricultural land in that order among the sampled households. It has been observed that there is direct relationship between farm-size and possession of different household assets in absolute terms. But in relative terms, it has inverse relationship between farm-size and holding of durable as well as livestock assets. In case of non-farmer households, the value of durable assets is the highest among the rural artisans, followed by non-agricultural and agricultural labourer household categories. There is direct relationship between having different farm assets and farm-size among all the farmer household categories. The value of farm assets is the highest for rural artisan household category as compared to other non-farmer categories. It is interesting to note that in relative terms, the average households from medium farmer category has the higher share of financial assets a proportion out of total assets. It has been observed that the large farmer has an expected the highest share of non-agricultural land and other assets.

Institutional Constraints to Innovation: Artisan Clusters in Rural India

Rural enterprise clusters in India have often been characterized by low-end products, poor income earning options and a near-absence of innovativeness. This has implied limited market access, inadequate organization of production and distancing from sources of formal knowledge. Policy neglect of rural industrialization notwithstanding this paper explores the nature of institutional constraints to innovation through intensive case studies of five rural artisan clusters (handlooms and handicrafts) in as many Indian states. Whether it relates to access to loan finance or technology support or linking to markets, the formal institutions (public or private) have been distanced by informality that typifies most rural enterprise clusters. An obsession with a sectoral approach to cluster development has negated addressing infirmities of the space of enterprise, even as scope for learning from some Asian economies in rural enterprise promotion exists. The paper also enquires if the innovation systems have been inclusive and pro-poor.

SARAS Mela and Marketing of Rural Products in India

Besides agriculture rural products basically imply traditional handicraft products produced by the rural artisans. This handicraft sector is the backbone of the non-firm economy of rural India and is also an important option of rural livelihood. But the sector is highly unorganized. In spite of having large market potentiality, artisans in most the cases fail to secure a modest living. This is mostly because of organized marketing facilities for the rural products. SARAS mela is a landmark decision of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, for marketing of these rural products produced by the Self Help Groups under the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana scheme. Started in 1999, this fair presently has become an important brand for exhibition-cum-sale of rural products and capacity building of the rural artisans. The present paper, based on secondary information, gives an overview and present situation of SARAS Mela and its importance in marketing of rural products.

Water Hyacinth Craft: A Livelihood Initiative by NEDFi

The north eastern part of India is famous for its handcrafted products. Handicrafts forms one of the basic livelihood activities and it provides income and employment opportunities to a large number of people. Cane and bamboo work, among various other forms of crafts, are the most important to the north eastern region of India. However, extensive use of cane and bamboo has resulted in depletion of the sources of raw materials. This case illustrates the initiative undertaken by NEDFi and NEC in the north eastern states to promote water hyacinth craft. The case also discusses the systematic development and implementation of the intervention and its impact on the rural artisans.

Agrarian crisis in India and possible solution: An overview

The positive agricultural price policy and land reforms in favour of the peasants would play an important role in solving the problem of agrarian crisis in India. However, some more efforts are needed in this direction. Besides, an increasing government investment in research and development activities, marketing of food grains, financial help for loans and machinery on hire basis from cooperative institutions, subsidies in favour of peasants, to provide all types of help to producers’ cooperative organisations for the processing of agricultural produce and providing financial help to farmers at the time of natural calamities will help to uplift the level of living of farmers. Education and health facilities will help to improve the lot of families of marginal and small peasants, agricultural labourers and rural artisans.

Success through Entrepreneurial Marketing of Rural Handicrafts: Cases of Ajrakh Print and Bagh Print

Entrepreneurial marketing is an emerging marketing trend in the micro and small business to overcome form the inappropriateness of the traditional marketing, resources constraints and to cope up with the dynamic business environment. This research is conducted to show the importance of entrepreneurial marketing for the success of rural craftsmen and entrepreneurs faced scarcity of resources to promote and market their handicrafts. Case methodology has been used to prepare two cases related to the rural handicraft sector and resulted into creation of entrepreneurial marketing model for rural craftsmen and can also work for non-farm entrepreneurs. Model created and discussed in the research itself shows its validity with the reporting of the cases.

Rural Retailing: Challenges to Traditional Handicrafts

ABSTRACT The expansion of tourism into villages has provided craft traders of Kerala with significant opportunities in rural retailing. However, village artisans with limited resources fail to reach global consumers. This study aims to clarify the challenges faced by rural craft cooperatives in selecting retail channels for their products. Testing the hypotheses at two levels using primary and secondary data, the author identifies the retail channel that offers the maximum returns to producers and satisfaction to consumers. The results indicate that those cooperatives owning exclusive retail channels guarantee sustainable market relationships for rural artisans.

Aavaran: creating niche through contemporary traditional textiles

Subject area Marketing. Study level/applicability The case is aimed at Business Administration students. Case overview Udaipur based Aavaran – the echos of rural India – is a concept by COS-V, a leading non-governmental organization (NGO), which aims at connecting the tribal women of rural India with the mainstream. The NGO, set up in 1988 by Smt. Girija Vyas, was initially involved in imparting vocational training to the rural poor. Later, COS-V was taken up by Alka Sharma, a graduate from the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur, who completely changed the direction of the NGO. Her interest in textiles and crafts led to the genesis of the concept “Aavaran”. Aavaran is a retail outlet which was opened with a vision to provide the Indian market with traditional yet contemporary textiles and clothing. It offers a collection of women's and children's clothing and home textiles using a variety of traditional textiles and crafts. It is an artisan driven concept where the supply chain incorporates the essence of Indian textiles and crafts at every level. From the dyeing, printing, sampling and assembly of garments everything is done by the local women trained by COS-V with the support of DC-Handicrafts. The raw materials – the textiles, grey fabrics, etc. – are sourced directly from the rural weavers and artisans across India. The case study discusses how Aavaran developed the unique positioning of a retail platform for contemporary products made from traditional techniques, skills and hand-based processes; how it could revive the diminishing arts of Dabu and Phetia and how it carved a niche through its channelized marketing efforts. Expected learning outcomes The case will familiarize management students with the concept of niche marketing with Udaipur based firm Aavaran as an example which developed a unique positioning through its traditionally developed products. It will also acquaint students with a basic understanding of a supply chain with a cooperative firm in focus. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.