IMERT students are developing a business model for tribals

PUNE: Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s Institute of Management Education Research and Training (IMERT) students under the Centre for Emerging Economies and Development are in process to develop a business model for tribal communities in Jawhar and Mokhada. The students have undertaken a project to develop a business model which will enhance the tribals’ skills and entrepreneurship opportunities. The project was funded by the Tribal Training and Research Institute (TRTI) with Rs 25 lakh.
 
34 students from the institute are working on this project, out of which 19 students visited the villages for 12 days. They surveyed 147 padas (hamlets) covering 2,000 people. “Their primary occupation was farming. Many migrate to other places for working at construction sites or other labour work,” said Komal Dadas, who is also the student representative for this project.
 
“Some have skills like making bamboo artefacts and Warli paintings. Four or five groups have learned it. But it is done on a small scale, mostly limited to their region. They aren’t marketed outside,” said Dadas.
 
Dadas said the students collected materials such as clothes, books, stationery and donations for the tribals.
 
Economics Professor Sandeep Hegde, who is heading the project, said, “These tribal people might be earning Rs 4,000 to 5,000 monthly. We aim to increase it to Rs 6,000 to 7,000.” 

The project will target 50 people in a year for skill development and capacity building, ultimately which will benefit 200 to 250 people. 

Hegde said that another goal is to erase migration among the tribals. “The Kokana or Mahadev Koli have self-help groups but the Katkari community doesn’t have any. They have a separate ‘pada’ on the outskirts. They are unaware of schemes provided by the government. So we aim to include as many as possible,” he told Sakal Times.
 
The students were accompanied by professors Sachin Kshirsagar and Yogesh Jadhav on the tour, and were encouraged by Marathwada Mitra Mandal Executive President BG Jadhav and Secretary Kishore Mungale.