On the occasion of World Bamboo Day, National Bamboo Artisan Fair is being organized on September 18 and 19 in Dumka. A total of 500 businessmen from 6 countries and 10 states are participating in this fair. Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the fair organised by the Small and Cottage Industries Development Board and the Department of Industries in Dumka on Wednesday.

Inaugurating the fair the Governor said that there is immense possibility for bamboo production in the State which can provide employment to a large number of people. “A large number of things can be made by bamboo. It is giving immense pleasure to me to announce that for the development of entrepreneurship among bamboo producers the State Government will establish Bamboo, ‘Centre for Design’ in Dumka. Small and Cottage Industry Development Board in collaboration with Jharcraft is running training programmes for artisans in various centers in the State,” he added.

“The Government has started ‘Jharkhand State Bamboo Drive’ to improve economic conditions of traditional artisans. Around six lakhs artisans live in the State. Government of India has kept Bamboo from the list of forest’s tree. It is called about Bamboo that it improves fertility of land. The State Government has recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with online marketing company Flipcart to market bamboo made products. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, Government of India is planning to organise entrepreneur conference at each district through which in all districts of the State to boost regional and local industry,” said Murmu.

The Governor said that the Centre and the State Government are running many welfare programmes for the betterment of artisans of the State.

At the closing ceremony, Chief Minister Raghubar Das will inform the artisans about the Government’s future plans and incentive policy. On this occasion, a new policy made by the Jharkhand Government regarding bamboo artisans will also be launched.

The fair is being organized for the purpose of green economy. The number of bamboo artisans in Jharkhand is around 6 lakhs, out of which there are two lakh artisans in Dumka. There is a huge demand in the country and abroad for goods made by the hands of these skilled craftsmen.

Kits have also been distributed to 5000 artisans during the fair. The exhibition of bamboo processing plant is being also organised in the fair, in which 20 types of bamboo will be displayed. Artisans have also been informed about the modern way of production.