Building Skills, Creating Livelihoods, and Promoting Financial Independence
Bargach Foundation supported a five-day capacity-building programme for tribal women at LAMPS, Belpahari, Jhargram, West Bengal, from 22 to 26 September 2026. The initiative focused on developing practical skills in Sabai grass craft to promote livelihood generation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable income opportunities for local tribal women.
Organised by the Tribal Development Department and Cultural Research Institute, Government of West Bengal, with financial assistance from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, the programme was conducted with the assistance of Bargach Foundation.
Building Practical Skills Through Traditional Craft
A total of 23 tribal women participated in the intensive training programme. Under the guidance of trainers Mr. Hiralal Mahata and Mr. Gopal Vagat, participants learned practical techniques for transforming Sabai grass into useful, marketable products.
The training progressed from basic braiding techniques to product development, finishing, design improvement, and value addition. Participants worked on creating a variety of handmade products, including:
- Sabai grass bags and handbags
- Lunch bags and tote bags
- Coasters and table mats
- Laundry and storage baskets
- Bread and fruit baskets
- Roti boxes and other household products
These hands-on sessions helped participants develop their craftsmanship and explore the potential of locally available resources for income generation.
A Collaborative Initiative for Community Development
The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Monimoy Paul, WBCS (Exe), BDO, Binpur-II, as Chief Guest; Mr. Syed Sazid Ur Rahman, WBCS, Joint BDO, Binpur-II, as Guest of Honour; and Shri Kalyan Mukhopadhyay, Retired IPS officer and Advisor to Bargach Foundation.
Field-level coordination meetings also took place to discuss Self-Help Group (SHG) formation and support mechanisms with local representatives. These discussions highlighted the importance of community participation and institutional coordination in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
From Training to Income Generation
An important achievement of the programme was the completion and sale of products made by the trainees. The organisation purchased the finished products, and the proceeds were distributed equally among all 23 participants.
At the conclusion of the programme, each trainee received a certificate and a toolkit containing essential materials and equipment. These resources will help the women continue practising their skills and independently develop Sabai grass products beyond the training period.
All 23 participants expressed satisfaction with the programme and showed interest in receiving further and advanced training.
Creating Market Opportunities for Sabai Grass Products
Skill development is an important first step towards sustainable livelihoods. To help connect craftsmanship with market demand, the initiative is also exploring opportunities for product standardisation, branding, packaging, and market linkages.
The proposed brand identity, “Sabai Craft of Belpahari — Handmade by Tribal Artisans of Jhargram, West Bengal,” aims to highlight the local origin and handmade value of these products.
Potential opportunities include government and handicraft fairs, institutional procurement, corporate gifting, social media promotion, and suitable e-commerce platforms. The immediate focus is to identify and prepare five to seven standardised products for market promotion.
These efforts aim to build a practical pathway from training and product development to buyer connections, repeat orders, and sustainable income.
Looking Ahead: Sustainable Livelihoods for Tribal Women
The successful completion of the five-day programme marks a positive step towards strengthening the skills and livelihood opportunities of tribal women in Belpahari.
By combining traditional craftsmanship with improved production techniques and market-oriented planning, the initiative seeks to support women in developing their entrepreneurial capabilities and building greater financial independence.
Bargach Foundation remains committed to supporting community development initiatives that connect local skills and resources with meaningful economic opportunities.
Building skills. Building livelihoods. Empowering women.