Launched by the Government of Gujarat in 2020, the Hastkala Setu Yojana aims to modernize traditional crafts by providing training, market access, and entrepreneurship support to rural artisans. Initially a three-year intervention, it has been extended through 2025-26. The program is implemented by iNDEXT-c with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) as the knowledge partner.
Key Objectives and Outcomes
- Capacity Building: Over 15,500 artisans received entrepreneurship training and 9,292 received specialized design and skill development.
- Market Access: Facilitated B2B integration for 9,300 artisans and onboarded over 2,000 onto e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.
- Economic Impact: Beneficiaries earning over ₹15,000 monthly rose from 9% to 50%; 11,672 new micro-enterprises were formally registered.
- Inclusivity: Women account for 82% of beneficiaries; SC, ST, and OBC communities represent 21%, 20%, and 34% respectively.
- Execution: Operational across all 34 districts of Gujarat; total expenditure is approximately ₹58 crore.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Supported Heritage Crafts: Includes Kala Cotton, Mashru weaving, Ajrakh block printing, Tangalia shawls, Sujani embroidery, Ashavali weaving, and Double Ikat Patola.
- Institutional Support: Coordinates with central initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and PM Vishwakarma Scheme for credit delivery.
- Recognition: Awarded the SKOCH Gold Award for excellence in promoting rural handicrafts and GI-tagged products.
- Strategic Structure: Dedicated Gujarat Cottage Industries Development Centres were formed at the district level to manage documentation, credit, and logistics.