Meghalaya partners with NIT to launch Innovation Centre for Handloom and Handicraft Industry

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 9, 2024

The Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Government of Meghalaya, has entered a landmark agreement with the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT), Meghalaya. This partnership aims at establishing an Innovation and Research Centre in Shillong to revolutionize the handloom and handicraft sector of Meghalaya.

The initiative, under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) program of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and supported by the World Bank, aims to foster innovation, enhance product diversification, and improve the marketability of traditional crafts and textiles. This collaborative effort reflects the commitment to empower local artisans, weavers, tailors, and pattern makers, while preserving Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage.

Speaking on the occasion, Friday Sutnga, Director, Commerce and Industries Department, expressed confidence in the project, emphasizing its potential to enhance competitiveness, market access, and product innovation. “This Centre will pave the way for advanced research and innovation, leveraging the technical expertise of NIT Meghalaya to introduce sustainable, market-relevant designs and production techniques,” he said.

Key objectives of the Centre are Research and development for innovative product designs, providing technical training and workshops for artisans, prototyping and introducing biodegradable product designs aligned with emerging market trends, and enhancing market access and competitiveness of MSMEs in the sector.

The Centre’s activities will unfold in three key stages:

First designers from reputed institutes will assess current products and customer preferences, preparing innovative designs to align with market trends, using sophisticated machinery and 3D printers at the Centre, NIT Meghalaya will transform these designs into high-quality prototypes in the second stage and in the third stage, designers will train master artisans, who will collaborate with artisans and weavers at the cluster level to transform prototypes into final market-ready products.

Under the RAMP initiative, supported by the Ministry of MSME, the MoU signed today will go a long way in redefining the handloom and handicraft sector of Meghalaya, empowering local communities, and preserving the state’s traditional craftsmanship.