Water hyacinth turns into exotic handicrafts

MorungExpress, India
Guwahati: August 24 (MExN): The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi) organised a 20 day training programme for artisans to enable them to produce handicraft items from water hyacinth which is available abundantly in this part of the country. 21 artisans from five N.E. states, viz.

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura took part in the programme. The programme was conducted at NEDFi R&D Centre located at Khetri in Kamrup District of Assam from August 1 to 20, 2008.
Speaking about the programme, K.N. Hazarika, CMD, NEDFi said, “It is a new concept. Thus people are still unaware that this water hyacinth can be turned into exotic handicrafts. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia and China are producing beautiful handicrafts from water hyacinth and it has a niche market because of its natural fibre. When I first saw the products there, I thought why not here in our place too. We have so many of these plants proliferating in ponds and other low lying water bodies. This training programme was designed to help people to start a new cottage industry. The required investment is also low since the plants which are needed as raw materials grow abundantly on their own. I am confident that it will give a boost to the handicrafts industry in the Region.”
During the training programme the participants were taught the collection procedure and drying and processing techniques of water hyacinth along with making of different frames which are essential components of water hyacinth based handicraft items.  K. Mahadevan of Industree Crafts Foundation, Bangalore who was one of the trainers at the Programme commented, “It’s a delight to come here and impart training to these hardworking and enthusiastic people. They are open to new ideas. Moreover, they have an eagerness to create something new on their own.” PR Coordinator Bitopan Bordoloi in a release said that some of the outstanding artisans among the trainees will be sponsored by NEDFi to take part in the Indian Handicraft & Gift Fair which will be held in NOIDA in October 2008 and February 2009.
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