Handicraft from banana fibre

A recent visit to The Kishkinda Trust (TKT) Banana Fibre Cottage Industry in Anegundi village near Hampi gave me a real perspective to the term women’s empowerment. Here I saw scores of women working diligently with banana fibre creating a range of products.

Started in 1998 by Shama Pawar, the banana fibre craft initiative aims to develop local livelihood opportunities for women by utilising local raw materials. Initially, only eight women were working in the unit. Using locally available materials and skills, the unit has grown to support the livelihoods of around 150 women, many of whom are the second generation of weavers and artisans working with the organisation. “Banana was growing here in abundance. So we decided to use it as the raw material,” says Shama. There are currently three units of banana fibre production, which include a rope making unit, a domestic market craft unit and an export unit that works with a market linkage partner from Finland.

The Kishkindha Trust aims to build the capacity of women at the grassroots level to run the production units themselves, and has recently established Hari Dharti Rural Development Society, to help transition of the units to being owned and managed by the artisans. All proceeds from product sales support these livelihood initiatives and help the women of the village earn an independent income, while also creating a space, where they can work together, share their experiences and learn from one another as a family.

The banana fibre craft workshop incidentally not just empowers local women, but also helps recycle natural resources. The handicrafts created by the women are sold in the Kishkinda Trust’s Hoova Cafe and Craft Shop, and the money earned is ploughed back into the trust. While the factory has several women who work at the premises, there are several others who do the same work at home.

The raw material is made by soaking the banana leaves to separate the two layers and once the leaf is soft, the layers can be pulled apart. While one layer is waste, the other one is cut into thin strips and twisted to form strings. These strings are hand-woven into bags, baskets, mats, hats, ornamental boxes and picture frames. Handmade paper and clothes and bedding are other products made from banana fibre. There is a whole section at the centre that is dedicated to making ropes. “In fact, the rope making activity is completely independent and we buy the rope from them and they are also free to sell the rope to others as well,” says Sharma. The set-up was earlier funded by the Ministry of Textiles and is now a sustained cottage industry. “Everything we do is pretty much self-sustained unless a new technology is to be used,” explains Shama. The products are available online as well.

Speaking to the women working at the centre, I got a sense that they feel empowered when they make a contribution to the finances at home. Sakina (name changed) said, “It really feels nice to come and work here as most of our community members work here. We are able to supplement our income and this helps running our home better.” In fact, the women here have a flexible working environment and when you buy a product here you know that the funds go for a good cause and benefits the women of the village.

Looking ahead, Shama says, “We would like to see the cottage industries across India become more independent as the artisan communities must be able to manage the marketing part as well.”