Lok Sabha Question No. 4517 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4517 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2025

## MAHATMA GANDHI INSTITUTE OF RURAL INDUSTRIALIZATION

## 4517. DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) is working to empower rural  communities  through  promotion  of  traditional  crafts  and  sustainable  practices,  if  so,  the  details thereof and the initiatives taken for enhancing the capacity of rural industries;
- (b) the details of various projects undertaken by MGIRI,  including product development, consultancy,  incubation  and  machinery  development  and  the  impact  of  these  projects  on  micro enterprises, artisans, spinners and weavers;
- (c) the  status  of  the  project  to  reposition  MGIRI  into  a  Centre  of  Excellence  (CoE)  for  Rural Industrialization including the key components;
- (d) the proposal for constructing a Hostel-cum-Guest House at MGIRI and the manner in which it would support the capacity-building programmes at MGIRI; and
- (e) the  future  plans  to  further  strengthen  the  role  of  MGIRI  in  empowering  rural  artisans  and entrepreneurs across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a): Yes sir. Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) is working to empower traditional rural artisans through promotion of traditional crafts and sustainable practices. The details of the initiatives taken for enhancing the capacity of rural industries are as under:
- (i) MGIRI conducts various Skill Development Programs/Entrepreneurship Development Programs in various  MGIRI developed technologies. About 1000 nos.  of SDP/EDP training program have been conducted benefitting 6414 beneficiaries to enhance the capacity of rural Industries during the last 10 years (i.e. from FY 2014-15 to FY 2023-24).
- (ii) MGIRI has conducted about 100 no. of Field Trial/Dissemination of Innovative Products/Technologies/Processes during the last 10 years (i.e. from FY 2014-15 to FY 202324).
- (b): MGIRI has undertaken various project for products/processes/machinery development. Some of the  major  technologies/products  include  Khadi  finishing  technologies,  Solar  Charkha,  Panchgavya products, Herbal products, Solar Dryers, Essential Oil Extraction etc. The details are as follows:
1. MGIRI has developed more than 200 Innovative Product/Machineries/Processes during the last 10 years (i.e. from FY 2014-15 to FY 2023-24).
2. MGIRI has established a Livelihood Business Incubation Center (LBI) which has benefitted more than 500 beneficiaries.

3. Consultancy, Quality Guidance and Testings has been provided by various divisions of MGIRI and  executed  more  than  70  nos.  of  externally  funded  projects  for  various  Government Departments and Organizations during the last 10 years (i.e. from FY 2014-15 to FY 2023-24).

MGIRI  developed  innovative  product/Machineries/Processes  have  helped  in  establishment  of more than 200 enterprises during the last 10 years (i.e. from FY 2014-15 to FY 2023-24).

The impact of these projects on micro enterprises, artisans, spinners, and weavers are as follows:

1. MGIRI has developed & standardized various products and technologies in various types of rural  industries  and thus has created impact  for the establishment and development of micro enterprises.
2. MGIRI is facilitating livelihood incubation, impacting the Livelihood of local artisans.
3. MGIRI  has  organised/participated  in  various  Awareness  Programmes,  Product  Exhibitions Workshops and Conferences creating awareness which has impacted the artisans lives.

(c): The project to reposition the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) as a Centre of Excellence (COE) for Rural Industrialization has been approved by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Further, process for allocation of funds is in progress.

Key Components of the Project:

- a) Conservation of Heritage Structures and Reuse of Heritage Buildings.
- b) Development of Research and Development (R&D) related Infrastructure

(d): The project for constructing a Hostel cum Guest House at MGIRI for Rural Industrialization has been approved to supports the capacity-building programs at MGIRI. The facility will enable MGIRI to accommodate a greater number of trainees, facilitating more extensive and frequent capacity-building programs  aimed  at  skill  enhancement  and  technology  transfer  for  rural  stakeholders.  This  will  also facilitate visiting experts and officials, strengthening MGIRI's  capacity to organize seminars, collaborative events, and high-level discussions focused on advancing rural industrialization.

- (e): The  future  plans  to  further  strengthen  the  role  of  MGIRI  in  empowering  rural  artisans  and entrepreneurs across the country are as follows:
-  Repositioning  Mahatma  Gandhi  Institute  for  Rural  Industrialization  (MGIRI)  as  a  Centre  of Excellence (COE) for Rural Industrialization. The initiative aims to enhance MGIRI's role in promoting sustainable rural industrialization and empowering rural communities.
-  Collaborations:  Strengthening  partnerships  with  institutions,  NGOs,  and  private  entities  to enhance expertise and resource availability, so as to upgrade and accelerate the process of rural industrialization.

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