National Handicrafts Development Program

Brief

The NHDP scheme envisages a package of support to the handicraft clusters and artisans which inter-alia include basic inputs and infrastructure support in addition to capacity enhancement to cater to target market.

The components of the NHDP scheme have been designed in such a way that the scheme will provide end-to-end support to millions of handicraft artisans employed in the sector, create a conducive environment, and provide a level playing field to them against machine-made products.

The main focus area of the schemes is to bring every handicraft artisan into the mainstream while preserving & ensuring the continuation of prestigious crafts of the country by providing marketing platforms for handicraft products, resilient infrastructure support, and skilling new entrants through numerous kinds of design and skill training programs and thus focus on capacity building for the sector. In addition to strengthening of handicrafts sector and empowering artisans, the schemes also provide an umbrella of safety to millions of artisans by bringing them under various social security coverage through schemes like Aam Admi Jeeven Joyti Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Joyti Yojana, etc. and providing pension to old aged artisans.

Eligibility

• The eligibility criteria are different for different components under this scheme, please refer to the NHDP document for more details.

Tenure

• 2022-23 to 2025-26

Benefit tags

• Skill Development

• The National Handicrafts Development Programme has the following components-
• 1. Marketing Support & Services- Marketing plays a vital role in the development of the handicrafts sector in India. Effort is made to provide varied marketing platforms giving ample opportunities for business development and income generation to artisans across the country.
• 1. Skill Development in Handicraft Sector- The "Skill Development in Handicraft Sector" sub-scheme meets the evolving needs of traditional crafts by offering training in modern production methods, skilled labor, design databases, prototyping, and essential soft skills.
• 1. Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana- Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) focuses on small artisan clusters, providing comprehensive support for up to three years. It aims to boost employment, upgrade technology, enhance competitiveness, assist with design and marketing, and promote brands, among other initiatives.
• 1. Direct Benefit to Artisans [Welfare]- This scheme is proposed to support the artisans during their old age. The scheme is designed to give a boost to the handicraft sector in India.
• 1. Infrastructure and Technology Support- The sub-scheme “Infrastructure and Technology Support” aims to develop world-class infrastructure in the country to support handicraft production, enhance product quality, and reduce costs to enable it to compete in the global market.
• 1. Research & Development- The Research & Development Scheme is introduced to generate feedback on economic, social, aesthetic, and promotional aspects of various crafts and artisans in the handicraft sector.
• For more information regarding these components and how they’ll benefit the artisans across the country, please refer to the NHDP document from the link below.

• The eligibility criteria are different for different components under this scheme, please refer to the NHDP document for more details.

• 2022-23 to 2025-26

Online / portal

Official application / information link: https://handicrafts.nic.in/pdf/Scheme.pdf#page=3

Source listing: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/government-schemes.html