Women Farmers of Jhadol Phalsia Learn Bandhani and Block Printing Arts: A Significant Step Towards Income Generation

A two-day institutional training program was organized on November 25 and 26 at the SC-SP Auditorium of the Directorate of Research, under the joint collaboration of the All India Women Farmers Research Project, Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (Bhubaneswar), and the National Agriculture Development Project, Rajasthan Government. The training saw the participation of approximately 50 women farmers from various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across southern Rajasthan.

The program, aimed at increasing income, allowed the participants to learn Rajasthan's traditional Bandhani (tie-dye) art and the technique of block printing. The women eagerly engaged in the sessions, honing their skills in these traditional crafts.

Dr. Vishakha Bansal, the program coordinator and project head, mentioned that the institute has previously conducted successful training sessions in poultry farming, goat rearing, mushroom production, and vermicomposting, with 60 to 65 women actively participating in each session. Dr. Bansal also shared that 15 to 20 women trained in this program have been linked with local factories for marketing their products, providing them with opportunities for continuous income growth. She emphasized that this initiative would empower women economically and help them take significant steps toward self-reliance.

In a unique initiative during the training, Mrs. Anjum Ara's organization, National Handprint and Tie-Dye Works, placed an order for three dupattas and two suits, which the women completed during the training itself, while learning the techniques.

During the two-day program, the women learned the method of tying threads for Bandhani, as well as the technique of dyeing fabric in two to three different colors. Participants also learned how to create handkerchiefs using various block printing designs.

The training sessions were guided by Master Trainers Mr. Yakub Multani and Mrs. Anjum Ara, a recipient of the Rajasthan Government's Shilp Samman. Dr. Kusum Sharma (YP), Vikas Kumar Parmar (SRF), and Sujal Damor (Field Assistant) provided significant support in ensuring the smooth execution of the program.