Patna: In a move towards ecological conservation and rural economic empowerment, the department of industries, govt of Bihar, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi). The agreement outlines the implementation of the Water Hyacinth Craft Development Project under the Central govt’s Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme.The MoU was exchanged in the presence of state industries department minister Shreyasi Singh, who highlighted the initiative’s dual benefits. “Water hyacinth poses a major environmental challenge by suffocating our water bodies. This innovative model transforms an environmental hazard into value-added craft products, generating sustainable livelihoods for our rural artisans, particularly women and youth.” She added that the state is committed to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, branding, and advanced technology to help local products reach international markets.The eight-month project is set to directly benefit 200 artisans in its initial phase, targeting 150 artisans from Saharsa and 50 from Vaishali.According to Kundan Kumar, secretary, department of industries, the project focuses on building a highly resilient value chain. The state plans to establish Common Facility Centres (CFCs) to provide artisans with modern production infrastructure. Additionally, the initiative will offer comprehensive skill development, product design innovation, and robust marketing support to enhance product competitiveness.“By converting locally available weeds into economic assets, we are providing a fresh impetus to Bihar’s MSME, handicrafts, and textile sectors,” Kumar said.The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Aman Sameer (director, MSME), Ashim Kumar Das (general manager, NEDFi) and Chandrakant Das (executive officer, NEDFi).
