Water Hyacinth Craft: A Livelihood Initiative by NEDFi

The north eastern part of India is famous for its handcrafted products. Handicrafts forms one of the basic livelihood activities and it provides income and employment opportunities to a large number of people. Cane and bamboo work, among various other forms of crafts, are the most important to the north eastern region of India. However, extensive use of cane and bamboo has resulted in depletion of the sources of raw materials. This case illustrates the initiative undertaken by NEDFi and NEC in the north eastern states to promote water hyacinth craft. The case also discusses the systematic development and implementation of the intervention and its impact on the rural artisans.