Srinagar: The Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, in collaboration with NIFT Srinagar, conducted a one-day capacity building programme at Kashmir Haat, Srinagar, under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) initiative.
The session focused on equipping over 100 registered artisans and weavers from across the region—particularly those associated with GI-tagged products, One District One Product (ODOP) and District Export Hub (DEH) initiatives—with key skills in branding and packaging, essential for expanding market access and improving product visibility.
Sudershan Kumar (JKAS), Managing Director, Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO), attended the programme as the Chief Guest. Among the other dignitaries present were Mussarat Islam (JKAS), Director, Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir; Dr. Monika Gupta, Director, NIFT Srinagar; Zubair Ahmad, Director, IICT; and representatives from CDI, Handicrafts and Handloom Department, and faculty members from NIFT.
In his address, Mussarat Islam outlined the department’s multi-tiered strategy under RAMP to build a resilient and market-conscious craft ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir. He urged JKTPO to consider waiving exhibition stall fees for department-registered artisans at various platforms, to support their economic empowerment.
Dr. Monika Gupta reaffirmed NIFT Srinagar’s continued support for craft communities and highlighted the availability of reserved seats for children of artisans at NIFT. She also encouraged participants to give feedback to help refine future training content.
Speaking to the participants, Sudershan Kumar stressed the importance of entrepreneurial thinking and design innovation in today’s competitive craft market. He urged artisans to explore RAMP-linked initiatives and engage with organisations such as JKEDI and SIDBI for enterprise support. He also assured that the request for stall fee waivers would be considered positively.
The programme concluded with an open Q&A session, where artisans voiced queries around market linkages, support schemes, and branding strategies. Officials from the department and expert faculty from NIFT responded to the concerns raised.
This was the second in a series of training programmes being organised under the RAMP framework by the department, with more planned in the coming months.
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