Urnati Jute Cluster
“The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the reverse.” — Herman E. Daly
Cluster vitals
Approval from MoMSME: 2019
Cluster location: Village- Gop, Dist- Puri, Odisha
Product of Focus: jute bags, wallets, water bottles, bouquets, and slippers
CFC Status: Functional
Production status: Functional
Marketing and sales: Functional
No. of lives impacted: 300
The above saying reflects upon the fact that an economy grows utilising the resources of its environment but it’s not the other way round. The essence of the dictum has come out as a distinct reality in case of the “Urnati Jute cluster”. Based in Puri, Odisha, this cluster looks forward to development and marketing of jute products. The need for promotion of jute based industries has come up due to rising environmental concerns such as pollution and depletion of ozone layers. Due to low cost and high demand, the cluster is motivated towards making environment-friendly products and produce items as an alternative to harmful plastics. Under the generous scheme of SFURTI, the cluster has evolved tremendously and has stood out as a roaring example for many similar industries.
The cluster is doing tremendously well in its objectives and covers almost all the women beneficiaries of the region. These women are now financially independent and capable enough to carry out their livelihood. These women have emerged as an example to thousands of other women in the region to be self-sufficient and independent. With the provision of proper training, the beneficiaries are currently producing different stationary jute items which are unique and attractive in their way.
Out of these products, shopping bag is currently dominating the market. Recently, the cluster has received orders in bulk quantities from various organisations across the nation. The products are marketed through partnership with “INKSAND, Bhubaneswar”. The cluster has been appreciated for their products by DIC, Puri and RBI, Bhubaneswar. It is worth notable that RBI has placed order to make 20,000 customized jute bags. The cluster is still exploring new ways to produce different other products in the basket gradually.