Pilot projects launched to revive traditional Namda Craft

Context

Recently,Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched two projects—

• Revival of Namda craft of Kashmir as a special pilot project under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0 
• upskilling of artisans and weavers of Kashmir under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), component of PMKVY.

What is Namda Craft?

• Namda craft is widely thought to have originated in the 11th century during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar.
• Namda craft is a rug made of sheep wool through a felting technique instead of the normal weaving process. 
• Namda Craft is extensively used in Kashmir households for floor covering and mattresses.

Key-objective

• To boost and preserve the traditional Namda craft of Kashmir and upskill the local weavers and artisans to enhance their productivity through RPL assessment and certification. 
  • Due to low availability of raw material, lack of skilled manpower and marketing techniques, the export of this craft has declined almost 100 percent between 1998 and 2008. 
• The Namda project will benefit 2,250 people of 30 Namda Clusters and RPL initiative targets to upskill 10,900 artisans and weavers of Jammu and Kashmir.
• This will also improve the access of existing artisans of Namda crafts cluster in Kashmir and will improve their prospects of employability.