Potentials and Challenges of Rural entrepreneurship in Assam: A study of two sectors-Small Tea and Natural Silk * Dr. Jatindra Nath Saikia. I. Introduction: Introduction: While discussing about rural India we find a widely pronounced statement as ‘India is still in villages’. This is, no doubt true since more than 70 % of India’s total population lives in villages. We can not expect a developed India when the rural India is found undeveloped in real sense of the term. The Government of India has been implementing implementing a large number of schemes to uplift the rural economy of India. For example, the NREGA is one of the schemes by which rural people are being given opportunities opportunities to earn. But nevertheless nevertheless,, the economic condition of the rural people has not upgraded. But some states of India like Gujarat, Maharastra, Punjab and Haryana have been able to show some good results in the rural areas. This has become possible bec becaus ausee of the the devel developm opmen entt of entr entrep epre rene neur ursh ship ip in such such stat states es.. So the the devel develop opme ment nt of entrepreneurship in rural India can be regarded as an important condition for the economic development of India. Despite offering different incentives by the Central Government and the respective state Governments, the people of the North Eastern Region (NER) of India are lagging behind in entrepreneurship. Consequently the region has to import almost all the articles from other states with some exceptions. The NER of India consists of eight states viz. Assam, Arunachall Pradesh, Meghalaya, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Mizoram, Nagaland, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. Sikkim. The NER of India covers an area of 2.62 lakh square kilometer, which is 7.9% of total geographical area of the country. The area is divided into three geographical divisions- the Shillong Plateau, the North Eastern Hill Basin and the Brahmaputra Valley. With a total population of 39 million (2001), it accounts for 3.8% of the total population of India. The economy of the NER of India is different from other regions because of its peculiar physical, economic and social characteristics. In comparison with other states and regions of India, the NER is economically backward. The number of economic activities is less in this region than in other regions of the country. The indigenous people of this region are simple and less interested in commercial activities than the migrated people of other states of the country. For example, the business hub of Assam- Fancy Bazar, situated in the heart of Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, has been controlled by the people of outside the NER of India. During the course of our study we have observed that almost 100% businessmen in Fancy Bazar is from out side the region. Same is case in other business cities of Assam like Tinsukia, Jorhat etc. With some exception, almost all the talented young people want a blue colour job. Those who can not manage a job start some ventures. But in most of the cases entrepreneurship is not their passion. It has also been observed that some of the young persons constantly constantly try to get a job even though they have already started started ventures ventures which start earning profits. Entrepreneurship culture is still in the bud in this region. But the entire region with its rich natural resources, wonderful scenic beauty, fertile soil, wide rivers and blue hills, pollution free environment and many other peculiar features has got high potentials to develop the entrepreneurship culture particularly in the rural areas. It is also a fact that the entrepreneurs both the existing as well as prospective have to face a lot of problems in this region.
The objective objective of this paper is to identify the potentials and challenges of rural entrepreneurship in Assam and suggest measures to overcome the challenges. In the following section, the methodology part of the paper is discussed. The paper contains both primary and secondary data. Primary data have been collected by canvassing questionnaires to small tea growers, bought leaf factories, workers of small tea gardens, suppliers and intermediaries relating to small tea sector scattered in different parts of Assam Assam on random random sampli sampling ng basis. basis. In order order to collec collectt necess necessary ary inform informati ation on regard regarding ing the production and the marketing of green leaves multi stage random sampling design has been adopted. In case of multi stage random sampling technique which has been applied in this study the units of population such as small tea growers, labourers, green leaves suppliers, bought leaf factories etc. have been interviewed through an open ended survey instrument(Schedules) at various stages according to the sample design framed. By applying the same method, primary information have been collected from the Muga and Eri seed producers, rearers, reelers, weavers and traders for the purpose of this paper. Some business areas of Assam such as Fancy Bazar of Guwahati, Jorhat city of Jorhat district and Tinsukia city of Tinsukia district have been visited in order to collect information about the percentage of indigenous people engaged in business in such areas to verify the recorded data of the Municipal corporation of Guwahati and other Municipal Boards of the concerned towns. Personal interview has also been conducted with the office bearers of the All Assam Small Tea Growers of Assam. Secondary data have been collected to supplement the primary information. Secondary data such as published reports of Tea Board of India, All Assam Small Tea Growers Association, Souve Souveni nirs rs of the the diff differ eren entt bi-e bi-enni nnial al Conf Confer eren ences ces of the the All All Assa Assam m Smal Smalll Tea Tea Grow Grower erss Association, Central Silk Board, Government of India, Directorate of Sericulture, Government of Assam and different publications of the concerned departments. The size of the sample has been determined by using adequate statistical method of determination of the size of sample with 95% level of confidence and desired level of precision.
Scope of the Study: In this region, there are immense potentials for rural entrepreneurship in different sectors. potentials and challenges challenges of two sectors viz . small tea and But, this paper deals with only the potentials Other aspe aspect ctss of entre entrepr prene eneur ursh ship ip such such as psyc psychol hologi ogical cal trai traits ts natu natura rall silk silk of Assa Assam m. Other (achievement-motivation etc.), Cognitive Reflection (IQ), Risk Aversion and Time Preference etc. are not dealt with in this paper. Since there is dearth of resear research ch literature literature on these areas of rural entrepreneurship, researchers may select them as the themes of their research. Entr Entrep epre rene neur ursh ship ip deve develo lopm pmen entt has has been been reco recogni gnize zed d widel widely y as one one of the the keys keys of econ econom omic ic deve develo lopm pmen entt and and huma human n welf welfar are. e. Entr Entrep epre rene neur uria iall skil skilll help help boos boosti ting ng the the industrial industrializati ization on and for alleviating alleviating mass unemployment unemployment and poverty. poverty. Entrepreneu Entrepreneurs rs search search for change, respond to it and exploit it as an opportunity. “Entrepreneurship is the attempt to create value through recognition of business opportunity, the management of risk taking appropriate to the opportunity, and through the communicative and management skills to mobilize human, financial financial and material material resources necessary necessary to bring a project project to fruition.” fruition.”1 Entrepreneurship can be viewed as a creative and innovative response to the environment and an ability to recognize, initiate and exploit an economic opportunity.2 The entire NER of India is industrially backward though there are abundant natural resources. Since entrepreneurship culture focuses on the emergence of new opportunities, the means of capitalizing them, and the creation of the structure appropriate for pursuing them, this
culture has to be introduced in the entire region. In order to create employment opportunities and to increase the standard of living of the people of the region, it is very urgent to create an entrepreneurial culture. The introduction of entrepreneurial culture would be possible only when the potentials and the problems are identified properly. This is an attempt to do so and this will clarify the importance of the study. The findings of this paper will definitely be able to show the opportunities relating to the livelihood of the posterity. Moreover, if the young generation of Assa Assam m in part partic icul ular ar and and of the the enti entire re NER NER of Indi Indiaa in gene genera rall can can be moti motivat vated ed to be entrepreneur, the outflow from the mainstream to the extremists outfits will be minimized or stopped. So there is urgent need to create an entrepreneurial culture in the entire NER of India for the benefit of the whole country. In the following part of the paper the potentialities of small tea gardens in Assam has been verified.
II.Potentials of opening small tea gardens in rural areas of Assam: Smal mall tea sect sector or can can be one one of the most most conv conven eniient ent sect sector orss for deve develo lopi ping ng entrepreneurship culture among the rural people. The government of Assam allowed the people of Assam to open small tea gardens in 1978 by abolishing all the legal barriers relating to it. Though the soil condition and climate of Assam is congenial for the cultivation of tea, the indigenous people of Assam were deprived of this outstanding entrepreneurship because of some formidable legislation. Production of tea had been the monopoly of big companies and that too of a few multinationals prior to that declaration. Inspired by that declaration, a few entrepreneurs started their small tea gardens to be followed by others in large numbers. At present, there are more than sixty five thousands small tea growers of Assam providing employment opportunities, directly and indirectly, to 13 lakhs people of Assam.3 The contribution of the small tea gardens to the total amount of Assam’s tea is 14.85% and Assam produces more than half of India’s total production production,, i.e. 51% 4 According to the All Assam Small Tea growers Association the area of land possessed by the small tea growers is 1,35,431.40 Hector and out of this 1,12,218 hector of land has been planted.5 One of the most important aspects of this venture is the selection of the method of cultivation. These new generation entrepreneurs should start opening organic tea gardens for it is highly demanded in foreign countries. The people of developed countries being highly conscious conscious about their health prefer organic tea to chemical used tea. So there is wide market of the organic tea all over the world. Organic Tea creates a set of different rural entrepreneurs: Organic tea would also be able to create a large number of other entrepreneurs. Because, tea cultivation needs huge amount of manure and other medicine to fight insects and different diseases. To meet the demands of organic tea cultivation a large number of people can start producing vermin composes and composed manure from agriculture and other garbage. Organic tea needs huge cow dung and this would create another set of entrepreneurs like diary farmers. This would also create a good number of entrepreneurs to be engaged in different milk products. In this way, production of organic tea would be able to create multiple positive effects in the entrepreneurship development in the North Eastern Region of India.
III. Challenges faced by the small tea growers: The existing small tea growers have been facing a myriad of challenges. The prospective entrepreneurs in this sector will also be of no exception in this regard.
1.
In the report on the Third All India Census of Small Scale Industrial Units, Prepared by the Director of Industries and Commerce, Government of Assam it is observed that the main reasons for the closure of registered Small Scale Industries were, “ Marketing Problems, Finance Problems and Could not Survive Competition”. The Small scales Growers of Assam are also facing these problems along with others. Land Problems: This This has been one one of the the majo majorr prob proble lems ms for for the the smal smalll tea tea grow grower erss of Assa Assam m sinc sincee the the Government has not issued myadi patta (Land holding certificate) to a large number of tea growers. Because of non-issuing of Patta of Patta by the Government these tea gardens are not yet entitled to get registered under the Tea Board of India. Consequently, these enterprises are deprived of the Government subsidy in respect of new planting, setting up of Pilot Tea Producers Soci Societ etie iess ( Self Self –Hel –Help p Grou Groups ps), ), usage usage of mech mechan anic ical al aids aids ( pruni pruning ng machi machine nes) s) for for fiel field d operat operation ionss and creati creation on of irriga irrigatio tion n facili facility ty.. Becaus Becausee of the absenc absencee of myadi patta, the economic activities of a large number of entrepreneurs can not be regarded as legitimate for which the respective state Governments also have not been able to calculate the actual amount of tea production. 2. Non existence of organized markets: There is not yet any organized market to sell the green leaves produced by the small tea gardens and consequently they are unable to secure remunerative price for their products. Some agents collects green leaves from the gardens and if for some reasons they do not turn in time, the plucked green leaves go waste. The price of green leaves is always unpredictable due to the above reasons. Moreover, the marketing of tea is a complex process. It is required business acumen, acumen, finance finance and technical expertise expertise which is lacking with some exception exception in almost all the small tea growers of Assam. 3. The monopoly of th the bo bought le leaf fa factories : The fixing of the prices of green leaves has so far been the monopoly of bought leaf factories and is very often controlled by the whims and fancies of the tea factories of big companies. Due to the lesser bargaining power of these small tea gardens, sometimes the cost of production is also not covered by the offered prices of green leaves. 4. Middlemen share the cream : Since the small tea growers have to depend upon the agents who collect the green leaves from them, a handsome amount of commission pocketed by these agents or middlemen. As a result of this the growers have been deprived dep rived of their real dues. 5. Lack of Expertise: The small tea growers lack expertise in many aspects such as application application of pesticides pesticides,, insecticid insecticides, es, weedicide, weedicide, fertilizer fertilizers, s, plucking, plucking, pruning, pruning, leaf handling handling etc. New Challenges: The globalization of Indian economy has brought a number of new challenges that are being encountered by the small tea growers of Assam. 1. Increased Increased cost of of fertiliz fertilizers, ers, fuel, fuel, power and and chemicals chemicals used in in the Gardens. Gardens. 2. Stiff Stiff Competi Competition tion from other Producer Producer Countries. Countries. 3. Product Product Devel Developm opment ent and and Diversi Diversific ficati ation. on. 4. Attractio Attraction n of the the customers customers to beverages beverages like Colas Colas etc. 5. Excess production production of tea world world wide wide and sharp sharp fall fall in the the real price price of tea. tea. 6. The burden of ‘crisis ‘crisis’’ in tea industry industry is not reflecte reflected d in the profitabilit profitability y of the industry, industry, but is reflected in the workers and the small tea growers.
7. Lack Lack of prop proper er manag managem ement ent,, acco account untin ing, g, conge congeni nial al indu indust stri rial al rela relati tion ons, s, updat updated ed knowledge about the global market etc. 8. Absence of of buyers buyers of organic organic green tea tea within within the country country because because of the the availabili availability ty of chemical used tea at cheap price. 9. The absence absence of mechanism mechanism to ensure ensure redistributi redistribution on of the benefits benefits of trade trade to workers workers and small tea growers.
IV. How to Overcome the Challenges: 1. Smal mall tea grow grower erss can can shif hift to Orga Organi nicc tea tea prod produc ucti tion on.. Beca Becaus usee of the heal healtth consciousnes consciousnesss the consumers consumers of tea prefer prefer organic tea to other than organic. organic. Since tea is also used as a health drink by the consumers of developed countries, the organic growers would be able to obtain very high price. It is easier for the small tea growers to convert their existing cultivation to organic cultivation than the big tea companies. 2. Ther Theree shoul should d be prov provis isio ion n for for prov provid idin ing g loan loanss to smal smalll tea tea grow grower erss with with mini minimu mum m interest. 3. The Government Government needs needs to bring bring in legislati legislation on through which which the small small tea garden garden owners owners can be given myadi patta and allowed to ask for loans where land documents are not mandatory. Due to the absence of the land holding document a large number of small tea growers have not been able to avail the benefits of different schemes of the Tea Board of India. The government should pay special attention to this aspect without further delay. 4. The The Gover Governm nmen entt must must take steps steps to ensu ensure re the the remu remune nera rati tive ve pric pricee for for the the smal smalll tea tea growers. Sometimes the big companies create some artificial problems for which the small growers do not get the genuine price of the green leaves. This should be taken care of by the government. 5. The recent recent phenomenon phenomenon of the fall fall in auction auction prices and and rise in retail retail prices prices for tea tea can be converted into great prospect through the establishment of private limited companies as well as the public limited companies and own brand with the active participation of the Government. Government. Instead of allowing beverage beverage market and cold drinks market to take over and dictate terms to the tea market, the small tea growers must enter into the beverage market with new and innovative products made out of tea. 6. The smal smalll tea growe growers rs of Assa Assam m should should thin think k of introducing branded flavored tea with natural spices. They can also follow the example of KTDC, Kenya6 which has three flavored teas namely, ginger, masala and lemon. 7. The health health agenda agenda of tea can be pushed pushed forwar forward d to excite excite more consump consumptio tion n of tea. A growing consumption of tea due to health benefits is driving up a global trade in extracts. Fat burning, immune-boosting and age defying are just a few of the labels that have appeare appeared d on tea drinks drinks in Europe Europe and the US in recent recent months. months. As the consume consumers rs become more concerned with dental health and losing weight, the demand for carbonated drinks has weakened and shifted to tea products. Health concerns are also driving strong demand for tea drinks in Asia. 9. The Tea Inspector Inspectorss of the Tea Board Board of India India should be direct directed ed to inspect inspect the small small tea gardens gardens in order to to instruct instruct the tea tea growers growers regarding regarding use of of fertilize fertilizers, rs, pestici pesticides, des, insecticides etc. so that no residue of pesticides or other chemical is left in the green leaves. 10. The small tea growers growers will will be benefited benefited if they form either private limited or public limited companies in order to set up tea factories. Since every shareholder has to contr contribu ibute te a large large amou amount nt of share share,, the they y will will be comm commit itted ted to thei theirr comp compan any y
without which they have to suffer loss. Moreover, the agreement to supply green leaves to the factories should be irrevocable so that the tea growers are bound to supply green leaves to the factories they are committed to. In this regard, the small tea growers can avail the facility provided by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) set up by the Government of with the cooperation of the SIDIBI in August 2000. The CGTMSE provide collateral free credit to this small and micro sector. It is noteworthy that the CGTMSE extends guarantee for credit facility up to Rs. 1 cror croree exten extended ded by its its Memb Member er Lendi Lending ng Inst Instit itut utio ions ns (MLI (MLIs) s) to Micr Micro o and Smal Smalll Enterprises (both in the manufacturing and the service sector excluding retail trade). 11. The Small tea growers of Assam should maintain maintain the Books of accounts properly to have the real picture of their financial position. They should also keep proper accounts of fertilizers and chemicals applied in their small gardens. Every small tea grower should develop the banking habit.
V. Natural Silk Sector can boost entrepreneurship in rural areas of Assam: The people of Assam living in rural areas have been practicing sericulture as one of the activities of livelihood since long. It has been playing vital role in the rural economy by provi providin ding g gainfu gainfull employ employmen mentt opport opportuni unitie tiess to the poor and backwar backward d segmen segments ts of the region. Moreover, the silk in general and Muga in particular has been associated with the rituals and traditions of Assamese society. So, the production of silk and its usage have become an important household activity. So far as the production of Muga is concerned, Assa Assam’ m’ss posi positi tion on is alwa always ys on the the top top (95% (95%)) among among the the stat states es of the the NER NER of Indi India. a. Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur are the major producers of Eri Silk apart from Assam. Oak Tasar is mainly produced in Manipur though all the states of the NER of India produce certain quality of Mulberry silk. Assam, the gateway of the NER of India, is also known for producing all the four types of silk. But Assam specializes in producing Muga silk. Muga culture is endemic to Assam since no where in the world Muga is produced except Assam and a small amount in some sates of the NER of India. Muga culture is practiced in the districts of Kamrup, Goalpara, Udalgur Udalguri, i, Kokrajh Kokrajhar, ar, Tinsuk Tinsukia, ia, Dibrug Dibrugarh arh,, Sibsag Sibsaga, a, Jorhat Jorhat,, Golagha Golaghat, t, Lakhim Lakhimpur pur and 7 Dhemaji in the state of Assam. Eri silk is produced in many districts of Assam especially in Kamrup, Kamrup, Udalguri, Udalguri, Tinsukia, Tinsukia, Darang, Darang, Goalpara, Goalpara, Dibrugarh, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Golaghat, Lakhimp Lakhimpur, ur, Dhemaj Dhemaji, i, Nagan, Nagan, Moriga Morigaon, on, Cachar Cachar,, Karbia Karbiangl nglong, ong, North North Cachar Cachar Hills, Hills, 8 Kokrajhar and Dhubri. Following table shows the state wise breakup on Area and Families involved in Natural silk sector in the NER of India: Table-1 State Area in hectares Families Nos Mulberry Muga Eri Oak Total 4539 7263 7938 27 185000 Assam 19767 Arunachal Pradesh Manipur
590
550
500
110
1750
3340
5914
1273
13543
7150
27880
2500
Meghalaya
917
545
1285
NIL
2747
2096
Mizoram
4820
204
148
NIL
5172
3500
Nagaland
369
227
3240
274
4110
7370
Tripura
1407
NIL
NIL
NIL
1407
105000
Total
18556
10062
26654
7561
62833
308806
Source: Status Report 2006-07 of concerned states: Available in the Office of the Director of Sericulture, Govt. of Assam, Khanapara, Guwahati. Though Muga silk is simply unparallel to any silk of the world for its luxurious look and wonderful comforts, the weavers of Assam cater the domestic need of local people only. Product diversification is one of the most important aspects to increase the revenue in this sector. But this has not been observed significantly during our study. Though the production of Eri and Muga silk is confined to the NER of India, a very small amount is exported to other countries. There is not any focused approach to organize the silk sector to meet the needs of the foreign countries. There is no denying the fact that the Muga and Eri silk of Assam would be able to create a high demand in the world market if every aspect of the production of such silk is modernized keeping in view the latest taste and preferences of the consumers. During our survey it was observed that some of the adventurous producers have started producing some new items out of Muga and Eri silk. These are Shoes, readymade shirting, Tie, Hat, Socks, Sweaters, T. shirts, Umbrella, Scarves, Coats, Inner wears, Jackets, Eri blankets, etc. All these products have high demand even in the local market. This has revealed the fact that Muga and Eri silk products would be sold in the foreign market like hot cake.
VI. Why Entrepreneurship in Muga Silk Sector should GROW As has already been mentioned Muga is endemic to the NER of India. So proper care should be taken up to protect this wonderful silk worm so that it does not become extinct. Muga, the magnificent silk with its gorgeous look can win the heart of any people of the world. Muga is the indicator of climate and pollution. Muga can be reared only in a pollution pollution free environment. Production of Muga would clearly indicate the environmental condition of the region. Muga food plants are green and high. So these plants create a green atmosphere which is highly required in the present context context of alarming alarming global warming. This will have a positive effect on the environment and it will also enhance the scenic beauty. This in turn would help in boosting the tourism industry of the region as the tourists from industrial world prefer green and pollution free places having natural beauty. This sector is women friendly. Since most of the master weavers are women, this sector contributes to a large extent in empowering the women among the weaker section of the state. The gestation period in this sector is very low, b ut the return is high. Moreover, this sector is able to provide employment opportunities to a large extent. Natural Silk sector creates a set of entrepreneurs such as: Seed (Muga and Eri) producers, Seed sellers, Rearers (Cocoon producers), Cocoon sellers, Yearn producers (Reelers and Spinners), Weavers, Fashion Designers, Designers, Traders, Traders, different types of Loom manufacturers, Loom traders etc.
Why entrepreneurs would be the gainer by exporting the natural silk products: Muga & Eri silk are totally natural and these silk have got natural colour and need no dyeing. So the latest taste and preferences of modern and moneyed customers would be met by the Muga and Eri silk products. Since Muga & Eri silk are totally natural and no chemical is used, it is the best silk • for human skin. This aspect is taken care of by the conscious consumers and the consumers of the developed countries. It absorbs sunlight and protects the body from the ultraviolet rays and heat of the Sun. • It (Muga) has the special character of keeping the body cool during summer and warm during winter. It should be publicized widely all over the world in order to create markets particularly in the developed countries. Its colour, colour, glaze glaze and other other qualit qualities ies will will attrac attractt the custom customers ers of the develop developed ed • countries. Production of silk helps in increasing the green cover on the earth which in turn helps • in reducing the harmful effects of the global Warming. This will no doubt help the mankind to minimize the green house gas emission. It will help in growing the tourism industry in the region in return also. Natural Silk like Eri and Muga are environment friendly. The consumers of the • developed countries seek green products now-a-days. The customers of the developed countries are highly educated and health conscious. • So the natural silk would be able to create high demand in such countries. There are lots of challenges that are being encountered by the existing entrepreneurs and the prospective entrepreneurs have also to be prepared to overcome the challenges. In this respect our study has identified the following: •
VII. Findings relating to the Challenges in this sector: Our study has revealed that the reeling, spinning and processing of both Muga and Eri are done in a traditional traditional manner. At present, these activities are confined to the household level instead of entrepreneurial. There is not any Industrial Estate for Muga reeling and Eri spinning . The available machinery for doing these activities is also not sophisticated and there is also a scarcity of spare parts of the machinery. The reelers and spinners have to face a lot of difficulties to get the required spare parts if the machinery goes out of order. Muga reelers also face the paucity of working capital for which they have to borrow money from money lenders at a very high rate of interest in order to run their activities. The Muga weaving sector is also facing a number of problems such as absence of skilled workers, lack of sufficient working capital, lack of the supply sufficient raw materials and high operational cost. Moreover, there is not any facility of processing such as dyeing, embroidery, tailoring etc. in the weaving clusters. Erratic power supply is also another problem that is being suffered by all the people connected with Muga and Eri Silk sector. It has been observed that due to the free entry of Chinese Silk into our country in recent times, our weavers use to mix the Chinese Silk with Muga after a dye in Muga colour. This habit of the weavers will certainly decrease the value of Muga Silk.
One of the most interesting aspects that have been found from our study is that most of the Weavers are not well aware of the worth of the product. They are also not so much interested in getting training. So far as the Eri sector is concerned, it is less organized than Muga sector. Eri spinning is regarded by the spinners as a part time activity only. Just as the Muga sector, Eri sector is also having the problem of working capital, lack of modern machinery to spine Eri cocoon, lack of processing facility etc. Due to the lack of sufficient facility in Assam to spine and to make dresses, a large quantity of cocoons are sent to Bhagalpur in Bihar every year. Marketing is a complex process. In order to be expert in marketing, one needs to have business acumen, finance, human resource management and technical expertise. Most of the People of Assam are lacking these qualities and the people associating with Eri and Muga sector are also of no exception.
What types of special care has to be taken to develop this sector: The demand of Muga and Eri products are more than the supply or production at present. It means the resources are limited and insufficient to feed the demand of the market. So a market research is required to produce the marketable products for the existing as well as prospective customers in order to earn optimum revenue with limited resources. To produce and distribute marketable goods made of Muga & Eri silk, we must identify the problems that are being faced by the real producers and the weavers of Muga & Eri silk. To determine the size, nature and organization of the sales of the Muga and Eri products we must identify the constraints of putting the finished products into market In order to know the taste & preferences of existing as well as prospective customers within and outside the country we have to interact with the Fashion Designers and Export Houses of different places. To facilitate the creation of new market within and outside the country we must study the problems that stand in the way of increasing the volume of Muga and Eri products in Assam. A systematic market study will facilitate necessary market information to the producers. In order to increase the volume of marketable products we have to study the strength and weaknesses of existing products.
VIII. VIII. Conclu Conclusio sion: n: In order order to surviv survivee in the face of stiff stiff compet competiti ition on from from the MNCs the existing existing new generation as well as the prospective Small Tea Growers of Assam will have to change their style of functioning. They need to keep abreast of the demands of the international market and produce their commodity on a par with international standard. It is the need of the hour to change the approach of the small tea growers of the region in order to understand different aspects of Business World. Both state and the central Government should pay special attention to the problems and the prospects of these entrepreneurs of so that the young generation can get engaged in some economic activities rather than any extremist activities in this extremists hit region. Moreover, in order to protect the influx of illegal foreign nationals from Bangladesh, which has been creating serious problems to our nation in general and to Assam in particular, every plot of land suitable for tea cultivation should be utilized preferably with the cultivation of tea. Otherwise, these illeg illegal al nation nationals als would would get settle settled d in such such plots plots and our govern governmen ments ts would would be helple helpless ss afterwards.
Sericulture, being one of the most important means of livelihood of the people of the NER of India, should boost in order to generate more and more employment opportunities in the region. Muga and Eri culture has got immense potentials not only to meet the demand of the domestic consumers but also the consumers of the developed countries. To attract the consumers of developed countries, the concerned parties (Weavers, Dress makers, Fashion Designers, etc.) must study the taste and preferences of the customers spread apart. Instead of devoting to meet the need of the local people, the producers should target the consumers of the developed states of our country too in order to earn optimum revenue. The Eri sector, which is still a primitive one, should be modernized and sophisticated spinning machines should be used for spinning Eri cocoons. The Central Silk Board (CSB), Government of India and the Department of Sericulture, Government of Assam have been trying to develop the Eri and Muga sector of the region. A number of research studies have also been conducted under CSB in order to increase the productivity of this sector and to reduce the problems that are being faced by all the parties such as seed producers, cocoon producers, reelers, Spinners, weavers, traders etc. But until and unless the people, who are associated in this volatile sector, including the Government Officials, put their heart, everything will be ended in smoke. ---------------------------------------------------------o----------------------------------------------------------
References: 1. John Kao and Howard Stevenson (eds.) Entrepreneurship- What It Is and How to teach it. Division of Research, Harvard Business School, 1989. 2. Gu Gupta pta C.B. C.B. and Sriniv Srinivaso ason n N.P., N.P., Ent Entrep repren reneur eursh ship ip Develo Developm pment ent in India, Sultan Chand and Sons, New Delhi, 2003, p. 1.17. 3. All Assam Small Tea Growers Survey Report, 2008 available in the Head Office of the All Assam Small Tea Growers Association, Jeewan Phukan Nagar, C.R. Building, Chowkidingee, Dibrugarh-3, Assam. 4. Kakoti Jibanjyoti and Saikia Jatindra Nath, Challenges Before Small Tea Growers of Assam, The Kurukshetra, Vol. 57, No.-6, April 2009, P. 32. 5. All Assam Small Tea Growers Survey Report, 2008 available in the Head Office of the All Assam Small Tea Growers Association, Jeewan Phukan Nagar, C.R. Building, Chowkidingee, Dibrugarh-3, Assam. 6. Kakoti Jibanjyoti and Saikia Jatindra Nath, Challenges Before Small Tea Growers of Assam, The Kurukshetra, Vol. 57, No.-6, April 2009, P. 34. 7. Stat Status us Repo Report rt,, 2006 2006-0 -07, 7, avai availa labl blee in the the Of Offi fice ce of the the Dire Direct ctor or of Sericulture, Government of Assam, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam. 8. ibid. ------------------------------------------------o----------------------------------------------Dr. Jatindra Nath Saikia.
* DR. JATINDRA NATH SAIKIA is a Selection Grade Lecturer ( Associate Professor), Department of Human Resource Management, Director, Entrepreneurship & Career Guidance Cell , Coordinator, BBA Programme, Golaghat Commerce College, Assam,
PIN: PIN: 785 785 621 621 and and Indiv Individu idual al Profe Professi ssiona onall Memb Member er of the the All All India India Manag Managem ement ent Association and Life Member of the Indian Commerce Association. Residence: P.W.D. Colony Road, Near Circuit House, Golaghat, Dist & P. O. Golaghat, PIN: 785 621(Assam). Email: jatin_saikia&yahoo.com Mobile: 9435151015.
