Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Biresmita Behera, Hasansab A Nadaf, Vishal Mittal, Sangeeta Minz, Chowdary NB, Sathyanarayana K and Venugopal A

Abstract:
The Bhagamunda Tasar Silk Park (BTSP), a first-of-its-kind initiative in India launched by the Textile and Handloom department and the Keonjhar administration with the concept of "farm to fibre to fabric," has marked a significant milestone in tribal women's lives in terms of skill development and financial independence.Tasar Rearers Cooperative Society (TRCS) Bhagamunda established in the year 1978 was elevated as Tasar Silk Park in 2019. TRCS has a total of 1565 beneficiaries that are active participants in tasar culture activities. The growth of the tasar silk value chain at Bhagamunda TRCS, as well as the impact of TSP Bhagamunda on the standard of living of various beneficiaries such as rearers, seed rearers, private graineurs, and reelers, were studied. The data on the changes in the living standards of ten each of them were tabulated and graphically presented. Before participating in TSP activities, all forty people had a source of income from seasonal labour, a poor living situation, a kaccha own house, and agricultural land. However, by participating in TSP activities they improved their living conditions and most of them had pakka or semi-pakka own houses.