Date:21/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/21/stories/2005122100190700.htm

Back CII takes a cue from Thailand for promoting rural hubs

Our Bureau

Each rural hub will seek to improve the quality of local produce and products in handpicked rural business hubs, which would be the size of a village block by using modern training and production processes.

Hyderabad , Dec. 20

THE Confederation of Indian Industry has forged a partnership with the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj to promote Rural Business Hubs (RBHs) across the country.

This hub is modelled on Thailand's highly successful One Tambon One Product (OTOP) programme to enable the Indian industry to participate, learn and profit from sustainable rural ventures. Each rural hub will seek to improve the quality of local produce and products in handpicked rural business hubs, which would be the size of a village block by using modern training and production processes. This would increase market access and ensure profitability across the value chain.

Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, Immediate Past President and Chairman of CII Panchayati Raj Council, stated in a release, "Rural India has stayed out of our radar screens partly because of inadequate knowledge, but mostly because our products and processes have become urban-centric."

Under the proposed RBH plan, the industry will partner farmers or local artisans to enhance market value of a selected product. The local panchayat or village block will act as a facilitator, knowledge repository and a trouble shooter.

This is aimed at combining the skills of people living in local communities with the production capabilities of CII members. Various Government departments will assist in providing market access.

Food and drinks, herbal products, clothing, handicrafts, handloom, furniture and other items will be covered.