DIMAPUR — The Department of Industries and Commerce and Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC), under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performances (RAMP) Scheme, organised the first technology clinic for handloom on the topic ‘Product diversification with digital technology’ at NIELIT, Dimapur on November 4.
In his address, special guest Kvulo Lorin, chairman of NIDC, remarked on the importance of practical experiments which, he said, are possible only when enterprises are physically present and given hands-on practical sessions, a DIPR report stated.
Lorin also highlighted that the Nagaland handloom sector has a marked 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. With tourism in Nagaland expected to grow over the years, demand for products from the handloom sector will increase, he said.
He encouraged the participants 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 aided by the technical support team from NIELIT Dimapur. Overall, three clinics were held - digital and jacquard designing in handloom, software based design/motif development and revival of traditional weaving techniques with modern tools.
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The resource persons for the day were textile designer from NIELIT Dimapur, Nchumyani Yanthan, who spoke on the topic ‘Introduction to digital design technology’ and officer in charge of Weavers and Apparel Centre, Dimapur, Sarbeswar Das 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 demonstration 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,” it stated.
As MSMEs in Nagaland grow and evolve, leveraging technology becomes crucial for competing effectively. Technology clinics for MSMEs under RAMP are organised by engaging the expertise of esteemed institutions' faculty members and technocrats.
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.
Earlier, the inaugural session was chaired by Deputy Director Industries and Commerce, Keneirienuo T Theunuo.