To empower artisans and craftsmen trained under the PM Vishwakarma program, the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) conducted a series of awareness and onboarding events within the Kashmir division on December 24th, 27th and 30th, 2024.
These events were hosted at government-authorized training institutes namely ITI Bemina, Government Polytechnic for Women and ITI Budgam, which are situated in the Srinagar and Budgam districts. The onboarding session was conducted by a team of consultants from the JKTPO, who presented a detailed overview of the benefits associated with the scheme.
The primary objective of the initiative is to substantially enhance the digital presence and market visibility of local artisans who are registered under the Vishwakarma scheme. By facilitating their integration into e-commerce platforms, JKTPO seeks to establish valuable marketing channels that pave the way for meaningful business prospects for these artisans.
This initiative represents a significant advancement in creating new opportunities for the PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, with a strong focus on promoting growth and development among local craftsmen. The program included awareness and capacity building sessions that attracted over 140 beneficiaries, particularly those specialised in masonry, carpentry, and tailoring.
Furthermore, participants were provided with comprehensive support in the development of product listings, which encompassed creation of compelling descriptions, the selection of appropriate imagery, and implementation of effective pricing strategies.
In addition, the Government e-Marketplace (Gem), a national public procurement e-commerce platform, has successfully onboarded more than 80 beneficiaries trained under the PM Vishwakarma initiative.
Additionally, Kashmir Art & Craft Impex (KaCI), a local e-commerce entity in the valley, has integrated approximately 50 PM Vishwakarma-trained beneficiaries as sellers on its platform.
In previous initiatives, the JKTPO has conducted various onboarding drives in collaboration with leading e-commerce partners. These initiatives have successfully facilitated onboarding of sellers, artisans, retailers, small merchants, and traders onto their respective platforms, thereby enabling them to promote their products on a global scale.
It has been planned to organize similar onboarding initiatives with prominent national e-commerce platforms and local enterprises across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These efforts aim to promote self-reliance and support traditional artisanship within the region.