The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) in collaboration with the district administration of South West Khasi Hills, District Commerce and Industries Centre (DCIC) and others organised a one day Tribal Artisans Empanelment Mela (TAeM).
This second phase mela was organised to provide a platform to talented tribal artisans of South West Khasi Hills to showcase their products and to be empanelled and recognised for their exceptional craftsmanship.
The mela was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills, T Lyngwa, in the presence of TRIFED deputy manager Pamthing Keiahing and TRIFED senior manager Nagendra Nath Jha.
In his keynote address, the DC praised the exceptional craftsmanship of tribal artisans in the district, who showcased distinctive, meticulously crafted and high-quality products and he encouraged the local artisans to further enhance the quality of their work and transform their skills and talents into viable businesses and to increase the production levels with the goal to not only thrive in local markets but also reach consumers in other parts of the country and abroad.
Jha said that the aim of TRIFED is to support the marketing of tribal artisans products and also facilitate exposure for potential business and revenue generation for sustainable livelihood and also empowering them to become entrepreneurs.
He also spoke about the Tribes India website where tribal products of local artisans from across the country are sold and also informed that empanelment with TRIFED will provide a platform for marketing of local artisans products through Tribes India website as well as other online platforms.
Forty-one local artisans, including self-help groups (SHGs), producer groups (PGs) and individual artisans from various part of the district participated in the mela, showcasing an array of tribal products such as hand-woven textiles, handcrafts made of bamboo and cane, foods, etc.
