Gujarat’s Hastkala Setu Yojana (HSY) has achieved cumulative sales of Rs 102.08 crore and created over 50,000 job opportunities since its launch. Launched in 2020 by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the scheme aims to support traditional arts and crafts by providing training, market access, and entrepreneurship development. It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of self-reliance and preserving cultural heritage.
The program, operational in all 34 districts of Gujarat, is overseen by the Office of the Commissioner of Cottage and Rural Industries. The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) is the scheme’s knowledge partner. The state government has invested around Rs 58 crore in the initiative, benefiting more than 21,690 registered artisans, with women constituting 82% of the beneficiaries.
Over 15,000 artisans have undergone entrepreneurship training, and nearly 9,300 have received specialized skill-based training. The scheme emphasizes improving artisans’ market access, with 9,300 artisans directly linked to buyers through business-to-business orders. Additionally, the program has provided digital marketing training to over 2,000 artisans, connecting them to various e-commerce platforms.
The scheme has significantly boosted artisans’ earnings, with 50% now earning more than Rs 15,000 per month compared to only 9% before. The proportion of artisans relying on handicrafts as their primary income source has risen from 20% to 45%. Despite challenges like documentation issues and technology adoption delays, efforts are ongoing to enhance technology, design innovation, market expansion, and public-private partnerships.
