Charaka Women’s Multipurpose Industrial Co-operative Society has implemented multiple government-supported, CSR-funded, and philanthropic development projects to strengthen rural handloom livelihoods since the early 2000s.
These projects focus on infrastructure creation, skill development, design intervention, wage enhancement, and producer ownership models, primarily benefiting women artisans in and around Bhimanakone village, Karnataka.
Key institutional supporters include the Ministry of MSME (SFURTI), NABARD, Titan Company (CSR), and the Azim Premji Foundation.
Programme design, advocacy coordination, and external partnerships are facilitated by Desi Trust, while Charaka executes production- and artisan-facing activities.
What is the SFURTI project implemented at Charaka?
The SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) project was supported by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.
Project scope and outcomes:
- Hard interventions: solar installations, looms, tailoring machines, dyeing and testing equipment, and construction of a Common Facility Centre (CFC)
- Soft interventions: administrative support, working capital, and skill development programmes
- Artisans benefited: approximately 600
The project strengthened Charaka’s production capacity and shared infrastructure.
How did the Titan CSR project support Charaka?
The Titan CSR Design Intervention Project, supported through Kavi Kavya Trust, focused on improving design capability and production quality.
Key components:
- Appointment of a qualified textile designer
- Skill development in dyeing, embroidery, wood block printing, and tailoring
- Establishment of a fabric quality control department
- Support for new marketing and inventory systems
Artisans supported: more than 300.
What is the NABARD-supported OFPO project linked to Charaka?
The OFPO (Owned Farmer Producer Organisation) project, supported by NABARD, led to the formation of a producer-owned company.
Key facts:
- Registered as Uttariya Producers Company Limited (UPCL)
- 300 producer members
- Share capital model: ₹1,000 per share
- Office located in Heggodu village, Sagar Taluk, Shivamogga District
The project provides a formal platform for rural handloom producers, with a focus on ownership and employment creation.
How does the Azim Premji Foundation project support livelihoods at Charaka?
The Azim Premji Foundation – Rural Livelihoods through Handlooms Project is a philanthropic initiative focused on wage and employment enhancement.
Project targets (from 2024):
- Increase workforce from 600 to 900 artisans
- Raise average daily wages from ₹300 to ₹600 over three years
- Create B2B market linkages to support sustained wage growth
Project start date: 01 October 2024.
What role does Desi Trust play in these development projects?
Function | Charaka | Desi Trust |
Production & Employment | ✓ | — |
Artisan Training & Implementation | ✓ | — |
Infrastructure Utilisation | ✓ | — |
Programme Design & Advocacy | — | ✓ |
External Partnerships & Funding | — | ✓ |
This division ensures operational focus at Charaka and institutional continuity through Desi Trust.
What awards has Charaka received?
Charaka has received national-level recognition for its institutional and market-building work.
Best National Brand Building Award
- Awarding body: National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC)
- Category: National Brand Building
- Significance: Recognition of Charaka’s contribution to handloom visibility, quality systems, and ethical market engagement
Why are development partnerships important to Charaka’s model?
Development projects allow Charaka to:
- Upgrade shared infrastructure without privatisation
- Improve artisan wages and skill levels
- Formalise producer ownership structures
- Reduce dependency on short-term market volatility
These partnerships support long-term viability rather than one-time interventions.
Verification Block
Data and programme information on this page was last reviewed and verified by Charaka in June 2026.