IDEAS FOR BUSINESS- BIRBHUM

INTRODUCTION:

 

Birbhum district is an administrative unit in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the northernmost district of the Burdwan Division-one of the five administrative divisions of West Bengal.

 

Often called “the land of red soil”, Birbhum is noted for its topography and its cultural heritage which is somewhat different from the other districts in West Bengal.

 

Birbhum is primarily an agricultural region with around 75% of the population being dependent on agriculture. The main industries of the district include cotton and silk harvesting and weaving, rice and oilseed milling, lac harvesting, stone mining and metalware and pottery manufacture. Bakreshwar thermal power station is the only heavy industry in the district.

 

Cottage industries are major centres of Birbhum. Amir kutir which is a non-profit rural organization is the most notable cottage industry. Textiles, forestry, arts and crafts are other main agriculture-based industries. Srlniketan is noted for its dairy industry and as a forestry centre. Some of the notable forms of cottage industries of Birbhum include textile-especially cotton and locally harvested tussar silk, jute works, batik, kantha stitch, macramé, leather, pottery and terracotta, solapith, woodcarving, bamboo and cane craft, metal works and tribal crafts. There are 8883 small and medium scale industries.

 

The business capital of Birbhum is known as Sainthia and is an economically very important city. Sainthia is the major centre for export and import of cottage industries. Huge numbers of businesses run in this city and its economy stands tall due to sales of agriculture based products.

 

 

HERE ARE TOP 15 BUSINESS IDEAS FOR YOUR STARTUP

 

• Silk Industry

Silk farming or sericulture, is an important agro based cottage industry in Birbhum. Mulberry silk derives its name from the mulberry plant whose leaves are fed to the silk worm, Bombyx Mori, which produce this silk. The mulberry trees are cultivated and these silkworms are reared specifically for silk production, making this the only variety of domesticated silk. This is also the most common variety of silk. Birbhum district have a historical legacy of silk production since colonial times, and they continue to produce the bulk of raw silk.

 

 

• Kantha Stitch

Kantha embroidery which is a magical artwork created at the hand of skilled artists run by simple stitches. This embroidery is a means of self expression by rural women not only in Birbhum but among entire Bengal. The artistic brilliance of the women artists have found expression in lifestyle products like sarees, dress materials, bed and cushion covers, etc. This kantha stich craft has been practised traditionally over the years and over the generation in this area. Most of the villagers have wooden frames or char pawa at their home for practicing their traditional craft. A large portion of the population are on this craft of Kantha stich. They have been trained on the craft over the years from their ancestors over the years from their ancestors. There is high craftsmanship. Their products are being marketed well in domestic as well as national markets and even to the international market via different agencies located in Kolkata and in Shantiniketan.

 

• Leather Craft

Leather works are a special identity of this Birbhum district predominant in Surul under Bolpur, Sreeniketan block and has an excellent market in the diffetent parts of the country and overseas as well. Shantiniketan style leather fancy bags of assorted shape and size and other leather products has earned a good fame in national and international market with its specialty in vegetable tanning and vegetable dyeing that give an aesthetic touch and luster.

 

 

• Textile

The weavers of Birbhum are very particular about colors  and have a beautiful sense of color combination. The favorite colors are black, yellow dark blue, green and scarlet. Originally they used natural dye but now a days they switch over to synthetic dyes available in the market. The designs are basically geometrical type varying from a formal arrangement of lines and bands to elaborate patterns of diamonds and lozenges. These designs are sometimes enhanced by internal repetition and other decorations.

 

• Jute Works

A luxurious range of jute home décor products are available to suite different life styles. Cushion covers, table mats, table covers add a touch of class to the interiors. Exquisite jute floor coverings are till date unmatched in their elegance. Jute garments are available for all occasions, in hand printed, embroidered and tie and dyed variety. A wide range of the most endearing stuffed toys are made of jute woven fabrics.

 

• Sola Craft

Skilled craftsmen shaped this item into many objects, such as scaled down models of temples, churches and mosques, carved images of Gods/Goddess, marriage headgear, flowers and garlands, toys are all crafted from this item. Apart from toys and images, big and small, some sola craftsmen also create items that form an integral part of most of the major religious rituals.

 

• Woodcarving

Woodcarving is one of the most important activities in Bibhum. Craftsmen from Birbhum used a wide range of variety of woods like shisham, teak, sal and chakolda for making household items. In this craft one can find painted wooden toys, masks, idols and chariot decorations. The art is mostly practiced by the carpenter caste. The range of utilitarian products and decorative pieces made from wood is immense.

 

• Pottery and Terracotta

Potters of Birbhum still make earthen pots to be used in various religious and social functions. They are made in various shapes and sizes and are adorned with fish and flower motifs and geometrical designs. The potters also make clay toys that are simple and appealing figures of human beings. Terracotta toys are made in each and every parts of Birbhum. The terracotta pottery is simply remarkable in Birbhum especially that is practiced by the rural artisans.

 

• Bamboo and cane crafts

The materials used for basket, mats weaving and cane work are simple and found in abundance. Locally available natural resources like grass, reeds, leaves etc is used for mat and basket making. A variety of products and items such as furniture, panels and partitions, table mats and floorings, lambsheds etc are made here.

 

• Macrame

This craft excels in producing ornaments and ornamental articles of domestic uses as well as articles of interior decorations. Chiefly practiced by tribal folk who produce garlands, bangles, wristlets, buttons and numerous articles of exquisite craftsmanship.  The products have high demands in different fairs in this district and in different parts of the country.

 

• Batik Print

This craft has entered a new era with colorful designs, under the tutelage of the famous artist Nandalal Basu and is now predominant in Birbhum. Excellent designs of saree, Punjabi top, garments, salwar pieces, wall mats, suitings, cover file bags, etc are most attractive in the national and international markets.

 

• Birbhum Tourism

Birbhum tourism has developed over the years. Birbhum is blessed with rich folk culture and is home to many cultural groups like bauls, kabiyals and kirtaniyas. The poush fair is a notable attraction to the tourists that lures the music enthusiasts and folk singer from different directions of this country. Famous places of Birbhum includes Santiniketan, Shakti Peeth, Jaydev Kenduli, Patharchapuri and Bakreshwar.

 

• Milk production and availability

The production and productivity of milk yielding animals is high in Birbhum district and related to this factor, the per capita availability of milk is high. The potent tools to increase the production, productivity and availability of milk in Birbhum district are based on two main strategic interventions such as Breed upgradation of milk yielding animals through artificial insemination and by improving the nutritional status of the animals by feeding green fodder.

 

• Agriculture

Paddy is the major crop of this district which covers an area of 94% of the total cultivated area of the district during kharif. Other major crops are oilseeds, wheat and pulses and vegetables. The major cropping pattern of the district is aman, aus Paddy, wheat, vegetable, oilseeds, pulses and  boro paddy.

 

• Metal works

Metal crafts are an integral part of birbhum which includes pots, utensils, vessels, tools, weapons, etc have been made out of a variety of material like iron, copper, bronze, bell metal and white metal, silver, etc. The brass utensils and pots are also said to be of a superior quality. One class of brassware has more than a local reputation what are known as Pais or Suri Bowls. These are really good quality materials made of wood, bound and ornamented with brass which gives them a handsome appearance.