By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 6, 2022: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) under the MSME ministry has started a pilot project for footwear manufacturing at Dasapalla in Nayagarh district.

Some 20 leather artisans of the locality will get two months training before taking up manufacturing of footwear. These artisans belong to two self help groups (SHGs) of Dasapalla. Master trainers of the Central Footwear Technology Institute, Agra, will provide the training.

The artisans will get required skills of new footwear designs and manufacturing processes during the training period, The training programme was inaugurated on Friday. Machines and tools have been placed at a building of the Dasapalla NAC to conduct training of the leather artisans.

After completion of the training, machines and tools worth Rs 5 lakh will be provided to the trainees. Assistance will also be provided to open new sales counters, official said adding that the artisans will learn new skills of footwear designs and manufacturing processes by using modern technology.

The women artisans can use technology and mechanical processes instead of adopting manual processes like previous years. This will make them financially stronger, according to these officials.

The Odisha rural development and marketing society (ORMAS), an autonomous body under the panchayati raj and drinking water department, and the KVIC state office have signed a memorandum of understanding in terms of which ORMAS will provide marketing support to the artisans and help the artisans participate in various exhibitions organized by ORMAS throughout the state.