The Department of Industries and Commerce and NIDC under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performances (RAMP) Scheme organized the first Technology Clinic for Handloom at NIELIT Dimapur under the topic “Product Diversification with Digital Technology” on 4 November 2024.
The Inaugural Session was chaired by Er Keneirienuo T Theunuo, Deputy Director Industries & Commerce with Kvulo Lorin, Chairman NIDC as the Special Guest. The Special guest remarked on the importance of practical experiments which are possible only when Enterprises are physically present and given hands-on practical sessions. He further highlighted that the handloom sector from Nagaland has an edged advantage as its demand and market goes beyond the state borders.
“As market demand increases, businesses will be pushed to move to technology for mass and cheaper production,” he said. With tourism in Nagaland expected to grow over the years, he noted that the demand for products from the handloom sector will increase.
The participants were therefore encouraged to take full advantage of such Clinics to upskill themselves and grow their expertise in automated production in the handloom sector.
The hands-on and practical session of the Technology Clinics was supported by the Technical Support team from NIELIT Dimapur. Overall, 3 Clinics were held which were- Digital and Jacquard Designing in Handloom; Software based design/Motif development; Revival of Traditional Weaving Techniques with Modern Tools.
The resource persons for the day were Nchumyani Yanthan, Textile designer from NIELIT Dimapur who presented on the topic “Introduction to digital Design technology” and Sarbeswar Das, Officer-in-Charge of Weavers and Apparel Centre Dimapur who presented on the topic “Digital Design Technology and its role in product diversification.”
At the Technology Clinic for Handloom, participants were provided laptops for practical hands-on exercise on CAD/CAM technology for Handloom designs. Practical demonstrations on the use and functioning of the Digital Jacquard machine for Digital Handloom and Digital Embroidery Machine were also shown to the participants while giving them the opportunity to use these machines.
RAMP is a World Bank supported scheme of the Government of India that aims to improve access to market, access to credit, capacity building of MSMEs, etc. The RAMP Programme comes at a crucial time adding impetus to support the overall COVID recovery efforts of the state by offering MSMEs and entrepreneurs in Nagaland the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in this evolving economic landscape.
As MSMEs in Nagaland grow and evolve, leveraging technology becomes crucial for competing effectively.
“Technology Clinics for MSMEs under RAMP are organized by engaging the expertise of esteemed institutions’ faculty members and technocrats,” according to an update from DIPR. The goal is to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to modernize or upgrade the technology in their existing units, as well as provide a platform for discussing and resolving their technical challenges.
At the RAMP Technology Clinic, it was informed that the participants from various sectors of MSMEs in Nagaland will be given the exposure to have hands-on practical exercise on the emerging software and machines, to allow them to familiarise themselves with the technology of the changing times.