Our clear duty i s , therefore, to investigate the possibility

of keeping i n existence the village wheel, the vil lage crusher and

the vil lage pounder and advertising their products, discovering

their quali t ies, ascertaining the condition of the workers and the

number displaced by the power driven machinery and discovering

the methods of improving them, whilst retaining the i r vil lage

character to enable them to stand the competition of the m i l l s .

Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol.58, p .294.

CHAPTER - V I I I

FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS

Findings

Problems of Village Industries i n Kerala

Lack of Finance

Paucity of Raw Materials

Lack of Infrastructural Facil i t ies.

Problem of Skilled Labour

Problems of Marketing

Problems of Management .

Lack of Consumer Preference

Prospects of Village Industries

Village Industries in Kerala - A Gandhian Crit ique

Suggestions

Conclusions

CHAPTER - V I I I

FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS

8.1 Findings

I n d i a ' s development strategy aims a t the removal of r u r a l

poverty through removal of unemployment. Though agr icu l ture forms

the main occupation of the masses i n Ind ia , the increasing

population pressure and declining holdings have a l ready made it

increasingly difficult to provide gainful employment even to those

who presently depend on it. It is realised t h a t r u r a l industr ies ,

outside the fold of agr icul ture can offer greater scope for labour

absorption i n vil lages. Therefore serious efforts were made i n the

Five Year Plans to revive, protect and promote vi l lage industr ies .

It is i n th i s context, t ha t the present study which analyses

the na ture , administration, status, problems and prospects of

vi l lage industr ies with special reference to Kerala h a s been carr ied

out. This empirical study is chiefly based on the primary data

collected through personal interviews of the workers and

entrepreneurs of vil lage industrial units i n Thiruvanantttapuram and

Kottayam dis t r ic t s . For :his purpose 5: vi l lage indus t r i a i units

comprising of two dis t r ic ts were selected for detailed investigation

using simple random method. Selection of sample un i t s were made

in accordance with classifications and the regis ters maintained by

the Khadi and Village Industries Board. Sample units were selected

in such a way as to give a t least 15% representation to a l l types

of vi l lage industr ies i n the selected dis t r ic ts .

Apart from the primary data . secondary da ta also were

collected by the researcher from various publ ica t ion9 of Khadi and

Village Industr ies Commission, Kerala Khadi and Village Industries

Board, Bureau of Economics and Statist ics, Planning Board and also

the unpublished data from the records of Khadi and Village

Industries Board.

A s revealed by the survey of l i t e ra ture , no academic

research study yet has been made i n search of problems and

prospects of vi l lage industries i n Kerala, with the Gandhian

perspective of vi l lage industries for vi l lage development. The

present s tudy undoubtedly proves tha t khadi and v i l lage industries

play a n important role i n the village development of Kerala. This

sector h a s remarkable potentialities i n providing employment to the

r u r a l folk and at present 1.89 lakhs persons a r e employed in khadi

and vi l lage industr ies under the s ta te Board.

Management of village industry i s a tedious task. The

functions involved i n the management of vil lage industry a re

similar to t h a t of a large industry, which involves planning,

organising, s taff ing, controlling, financing and marketing.

The sample selected for the study constitute 25 co-.operative

societies. 16 chari table societies and 10 proprietorship units.

Entrepreneurs of these uni ts a r e belonging to local a rea and

monetory benefit is the motivation behind the selection of th i s

choice. 51 percent of the entrepreneurs a r e i n their middle age of

41-50. A l l the entrepreneurs a r e l i t e r a t e and the majority of them

have college education. Male representation is dominated among the

entrepreneurs i n the sample units. 53 percent of the entrepreneurs

a re chr is t ians and no muslim entrepreneur is represented i n the

sample. Though it is found t h a t f inancial motive plays a major

4 role i n the selection of vi l lage indus t ry , the entrepreneurs a re

getting very low income from vi l lage indus t ry .

49 percent of the uni ts under s tudy came into existence

during 1980-90. This is because, during th i s period, the

Government with the aid of Khadi and Village Industries Board

conducted a vigourous programme with the following objectives:

1. Providing employment to the r u r a l unemployed.

2. Revival and Promotion of khadi and v i l lage industr ies through-

out t h e s ta te .

The capi ta l investment i n these uni ts varied from 18,000

rupees to 2 l akh rupees. Though paucity of raw material is

observed a s a serious problem in vi l lage indus t ry , 51 percent of

the uni ts a r e obtaining raw materials from different p a r t s of

Kerala. Rest of them a r e bringing raw materials from other s ta tes

like Tamilnadu, Karnataka etc. Statist ics reveals t ha t on an

average there a r e 9 workers per unit . Arnr~ny the workers female

representation is dominated and 76 percent of the total workforce in

the sample uni ts a r e women.

Though power driven machines have entered i n the

production field of vi l lage industries sector, 80 percerit of the uni ts

a r e still using hand driven machines.

The workers i n vil lage industr ies differ considerably in -. the i r occupational background/ To most of the workers the meagre

income from the vil lage industry is the only means of livelihood.

What drew them into the vil lage industry sector is the problem of

accute unemployment in Kerala. Only 35% of the workers a r e drawn

from the same occupational background of their family

, \The present study found tha t youth participation is higher b'

i n vi l lage industr ies and the average age of workers is 24 years.

Female domination i s noticed among the workers i n vil lage

industr ies , ~ i e . , 59% of the workers a r e women. The special

characterist ics l ike less bodily exersion, more leisure, nearness to

home and means for contributing to the family income make the

village industr ies mote attractive to women workers. A t the same

time it is observed tha t the underrepresentation of men i n this

sector is mainly due to its less remunerative nature .

-Kerala i s the most l i terate state i n the country. This is c 5

reflected i n the level of literacy of the workers i n village

industr ies> Almost a l l a r e l i terate. It i s further observed that

the l i teracy r a t e among the the selected workers i n v i l l age

industr ies is higher t han tha t of the to ta l population i n Kerala.

The majority of t he selected workers have completed high school

education. However educational qualif ication is not a n eligibil i ty

criterion for t he en t ry into vil lage industries.

(The economic s ta tus of the workers i n vi l lage industr ies is ', not satisfactory;, Most of the workers a r e get t ing very low

,

remuneration from v i l lage industries. The average monthly wage of

a worker i n t h i s sector i s only R s . 190/-. The maximum wage

obtained by a seniormost worker i n t h i s sector is only Rs.600/- per

month. It is pertinent to note that t h i s amount is not suff ic ient to

meet even the primary needs of a family.

An examination of the size of the land holdings of workers

shows tha t the i r holding i s less than the s ta te average. A l l the

workers have the i r own holding and a r e l iv ing i n the i r own houses

which a re very close to their work place while difference is noticed

i n the nature of the houses. A l l of them l ive under t i l ed roofs or

under tatched roofs.

The average family size of a worker i n v i l l age indus t r ies

i s 5 . which is l e s s than the size of an average Kerala family.

The average family income of the worker per month is calculated a s

Rs.537/-. The ana lys i s revealed tha t the percapita income of the

worker is Rs.2,156/- which is less t han the percapita income of the

s ta te viz. Rs. 3 , 4 5 1 / - .

The study shows tha t t rade unionism backed by political

par t ies h a s entered in to vi l lage industr ies sector though it is not

a s strong a s i n the other industr ia l sectors i n Kerala.

i Job security is a serious problem faced by the workers in -- vil lage i n d u s t r i e s ~ It was noticed tha t due to nonavailabil i ty of

r a w materials, pil ing up of finished stocks etc., most of the

vil lage industr ies find it very difficult to offer work to the

employers throughout the year . An encouraging s ign observed in

the present Study is t h a t the reaction of the society towards vil lage

industry is satisfactory. The women workers revealed t h a t a s they ,

become contributing members in the family, their s t a tus i n the

family a s well a s i n society is enhanced considerably.

On the whole, the majority of the workers i n village

industr ies a r e not satisfied with their wage, welfare faci l i t ies and

-\ future prospects. They generally do not have any feeling of

inferiority i n the s ta tus of their job, but compared to their

counterparts i n other sectors, have great concern with the wage

structure and welfare facil i t ies prevalent i n v i l lage industries

sector. Almost a l l the workers expressed dissatisfaction on the

present r a t e of remuneration.

A s the remuneration from village industr ies is too small to

sustain their livelihoodlithe tradit ional workers do not l ike to

suggest t h i s occupation to their younger generation, which would

result i n the g radua l decline of tradit ional industr ies i n the state.

8.2 Problems of Village Industries in Kerala

Broadly the problems of vi l lage industr ies can be divided

into two types - external and internal. External problems a r e those

which resul t from factors beyond the control of entrepreneurs, while

internal problems a r e inherent i n the enterprise. Apart from the

various ex te rna l problems, the vi l lage industries suf fe r from a

number of handicaps, s ta r t ing from the establishment of industry to

marketing. The in t e rna l problems of vi l lage industr ies include lack

of f inance, shortage of raw materials, lack of in f ras t ruc tura l

facil i t ies, lack of proper management, problem of skil led labour and

lack of proper marketing facil i t ies. These a r e interrela ted a s seen i n f igure - 8.1.

8.2.1 Lack of Finance

The basic requirement for the establishment of any industry

is finance. The i n i t i a l investment for vil lage industr ies comes

mainly from within. Most of the entrepreneurs invest their own

funds or borrowed funds, i n the s ta r t ing period. Though Khadi

and Village Industr ies Board is extending f inancial ass is tance it i s

not sufficient. The entrepreneurs i n th i s sector a r e not i n a

position to offer the security required by the banking sector \ The

procedures for ava i l ing of f inancial support from banks and

government agencies a r e so cumbersome that most of the

entrepreneurs a r e hesis tant to make use of these faci l i t ies . The

procedural delay i n extending f inanc ia l assistance i s another

problem. I t was observed i n some cases tha t it takes more than 6

Directly Affecting Factors

------ Indirectly Affecting Factors

Finance r\

Production u FIGURE 8.1

Intertwined Factors i n Village Industry

I

months to sanction the loan for establishing the unit . The lack of L

proper exposure to elementary f inancial management also makes it

difficult for the entrepreneur to a v a i l of f inancial assistance for

the development of their industries. Some of the entrepreneurs a r e

not e;en aware of a l l sources of f inancial assistance to make use

of it. This general lack of capi ta l creates, i n tu rn , a whole group

of problems relat ing to size and s i te of the enterprise, the quali ty

of labour, market coverage and purchase of raw material leading to

low and poor quali ty of production.

8 . 2 . 2 Paucity of Raw Materials

(;-*adequacy or non-availability of raw materials of proper

quality a t reasonable price is a major problem facing a number of

units. The quantum of raw material is not la rge . However they -.

require it a t proper tin?e., Because of the weak f inancial position,

the entrepreneurs vi l lage industr ies have to ut i l ise the services of

middle men to get raw materials on credit . Such a n arrangement

however, results i n higher costs and it is disadvantageous as the

profit margin of middlemen a r e ra ther high. Their f inancial

constraints induce the entrepreneurs to use cheap and inferior raw

materials, which natural ly affect the quali ty of finished products. -. .

The temporary suspension of the supply of raw materials due to .. climatic changes also affects the productio2>. This problem is not

.I'

only of f ibre unit but many other industr ies such a s Hand made

paper. Cane and Bamboo, Non-edible oil, Cottage match etc. , a r e

confronting s i m i l a r problems. Khadi and other vi l lage industries

l ike pottery. edible oils, blacksmithy, f rui ts and vegetable

processing, processing of cereals and pulses a re obtaining raw

f- materials from different places i n Kerala. \Nan-availability of raw

materials a t required time i n required qual i ty throughout the year -

ac t a s a hindrance i n production.,

8.2.3 Lack of Infrastructural - Facili t ies

It is not easy to decide on location, for the choice involves

considerations of the avai labi l i ty of infrastructural faci l i t ies , the

cost and tenure of acquisit ion, the avai labi l i ty of labour , local

availabil i ty of raw materials and marketing facilities. It is

observed tha t avai labi l i ty of financial assistance is also a crucial

factor i n the decision with regard to location.

The Khadi and Village Industr ies Board extends f inancial

assistance to the entrepreneurs for the construction and maintenance

of the u n i t i 3 But it is found t h a t many of the units lack basic

facilities such a s necessary space for the ar t isans to work, a

secure godown to store the ar t ic les produced etc. (In some cases,

the buildings a r e even leaking during ra iny season, which destroys

the goods produced.'

8 . 2 . 4 Problem of Skilled Labour

I t is evident t ha t the labour resources in Kerala is

higher than the capi ta l resources and the numberof unemployed a r e

increasing year to year . According to the register of employment

exchanges there a r e 31.03 l akhs job seekers i n the state. But the

village industry sector sometimes a r e faces with the problem of

getting talented and skil led workers for the appropriate work. The

poor income from vi l lage industry is the main factor which creates

an aversion to vi l lage industr ies among the unemployed. A s 2 mentioned in Chapter VII, poor remuneration is a factor affecting job

disatisfaction. Another factor which creates disinterest to vil lage

industries i n the ' s t a tus ' consideration of these workers i n society.

A s f a r a s the educated youth a r e concerned, they a r e desperate a s

the work i n vi l lage industr ies sector is unfit to their education.

Therefore, a l l a r e i n search of more remunerative white collar jobs.

Some of the t rad i t iona l a r t i s ans l ike 'pot ters ' a r e unwilling to

follow the hereditary occupational pat tern; because, they feel that

the income from their occupation is a meagre amount, by which it

is hard to sustain their l i fe i n the present socio-economic

condition. Therefore they send their children to the school to have

formal education. They believe t h a t the formal education could

provide their children with a more prestigious and satisfactory

occupation. However what i s happening is t h a t most of them a r e

added to the educated unemployed in the s ta te . It is sure tha t

this trend w i l l put a n end to the t rad i t iona l skil led occupational

patterr. in Kerala. This is not i n confornity with Gandhian ideas

of dignity of labour. This has happened d u e to the change in the

concepts of education, occupation, dignity sr labour and to a la rge

extent the change in the value system of society.

r~ serious handicap for vil lage industries is the problem of

marketing? Though there a r e Khadi Gramodyog Bhavans under -,I

Khadi and Village Industries Commission and Khadi Bhavan under

Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board for the marketing of

products from khadi and vil lage industr ies , these faci l i t ies a r e

inadequate for the efficient marketing of the products.

absence of proper marketing facil i t ies, some of the entrepreneurs

have to take their products from door to door to sel l their i t e m s 3 - Some of them depend on middlemen.to sel l their products. They a r e

even forced to se l l their products a t unremunerative prices. These

constraints i n marketing adversely affects production.

Competition with la rge scale industr ies is a major obstacle

in the marketing field. There is a notion among the consumers

t h a t the machine-made products have more finish and a r e of low

price. Therefore they prefer machine made goods. I t is evident

t h a t the price of handmade goods a r e usually higher i n comparison

with the .machine made goods. This is because, i n vil lage

industries production i s by masses and therefore labour cost is

higher and productivity is less. Here the remuneration of the

worker depends upon the price of the product and hence the price

.. of the product has increased automatically. While in the case of

large industry productivity i s higher than labour cost. Therefore,

they could sell the products a t lower price.

r a t h e r problems noticed i n the marketing of vi l lage \.-

industr ies a r e lack of quali ty control, poor bargaining power, lack

of service a f te r sales, f inancial weakness, ignorance of potential

markets and lack of knowledge of m a r k e t i n i 2

8.2.6 Problems of Management

The a r e a in which vil lage industr ies have encountered the

/-I I greatest difficulty is tha t of management9 The entrepreneurs a r e

hardly i n a position to pilot their undertaking due to various

problems such a s insufficient finance, paucity of raw material , lack

of marketing facil i t ies, lack of technical guidence and managerial

abil i ty.

he ,poor economic background of the entrepreneurs and the \-

ignorance result ing in non-availability and non-accessibility of

various f inancial assistance for the development of the i r unit

creates f inancial crisis. Moreover, the income and prof i t from

village indus t r ia l units a r e very low. Some entrepreneurs resort to

unfair practices and corruptions which ultimately lead to the

shrinkage of the industr ia l units.

8.2.7 Lack of Consumer Preference:

The surv iva l and development of a l l production uni ts depend

upon the demand for their products. I t is found t h a t there is not -.

much demand for vil lage industry products.) This is happening

because of two factors. Village industr ies proposed by Gandhiji

meant for the production of necessary goods needed by the people

for fulfi l l ing the i r need, and not their greed, ie . , production

should be i n concomitance with consumer preference. However a t

present the goods produced i n vil lage industry sector a r e production

oriented than need based. Therefore they lack consumer preference.

6 n o t h e r reason for lack of consumer preference is the change i n the L.-.

value system. I n the present society the basis of selection of

goods is economic profit ra ther than humanistic concern. 6s the

machine made goods a r e cheaply avai lable people ignore the costly

handmade articles. People also believe t h a t machine made goods

are more durable and have more finish than handmade

8.3 Prospects of Village Industries

Gespi te its problems, the prospects of vi l lage industr ies a re

wide. There is no doubt t h a t the potentiality of vi l lage industries

i n providing employment is very high. It is evident t h a t the main

reason for unemployment is the replacement of human labour by

machines in agr icul ture a s well a s i n l a r g e scale industries.

Though the number of l a rge industr ia l uni ts i n Kerala a r e .

increasing only a few people have got employment i n th i s sector,)

This results i n mass production instead of production by the

masses. Gandhiji realised th i s demerit of large-scale industries

and asserted t h a t " the big industries can never, they do not hope

to, overtake the unemployed millions. Their aim is primarily to

make money for the. f e w owners. never the direct one of finding

employment for the unemployed millions".' I n this regard the

employment potentiality of vi l lage industr ies is quite appreciable.

(AS the women constitute the majority of unemployed in the s ta te ,

vi l lage industr ies offer a hopeful choice for them. There is a n

accentuation t h a t t h e remuneration from khadi and vil lage

industr ies is low. However a s the unemployed a r e concerned, the

meagre amount from vi l lage industr ies is a contribution to their

personal income. A s the wage payment i n vil lage industries is on

piece r a t e the earn ing of a worker i n th i s sector is related to his

sk i l l and capacity to produce>

Statist ics reveal t ha t the number of khadi and vi l lage

indus t r ia l uni ts a r e increasing every year . The Kerala Khadi and

Village Industr ies Board i s giving f inanc ia l assistance to establish

the uni ts a t reasonable crediG For s ta r t ing khadi units the Board

provides credit-less loan and for vi l lage industries a 4 percent

credit loan. The entrepreneurs a r e not fully satisfied with th i s

a id a s they have to fulfil certain formal requisites for avail ing of

financial ass is tance. However th i s f inanc ia l assistance serves a s

an incentive for the unemployed to s t a r t a vi l lage industry.

Considering the problems i n obtaioing raw materials the

Boari has consolidated various federations such a s soap federation,

1. M . K . Gandhi, Collected Works of Mahatma Candhi, Vo1.61, p.f+16.

match federation, etc. The tasky collection and distribution of r a w

materials for the soap unit and match uni ts is vested on these

federations. It is observed tha t some of the vil lage industries a r e

bringing raw materials from other states. This is clearly a

distortion of the concept of village industries, which means ' the

conversion of locally avai lable raw materials into useful products

by using man power. These difficult ies ar ise because of the

inappropriate selection of the industry. Before s ta r t ing a n industry

the entrepreneur should ascertain the local avai labi l i ty of raw

materials. This w i l l eliminate the need for dependence to the

sources for raw materials. ,

8.4 Village Industr ies in Kerala - A Gandhian Critique

Originally vil lage industries by concept and practice was

meant for creating a new mode of l ife for facil i tat ing a welfare

society. Gandhi j is tar ted the programme for the development of

vil lage industr ies a s a strategy for village self-sufficiency. H i s

idea behind vi l lage industries is t h a t one should look to the

villages for the satisfaction of one 's daily needs. To him village

industry connotes a way of l ife ra ther than a means of earning.

However a t present village industries a re considered a s a

means of income rather than a way of l i fe . The motivation behind

the selection of vil lage industry a s an occupation is reduced to

monetary benefits alone. The wake of vil lage industries under KVIB

necessitated some element of entrepreneurship i n village industries.

Gandhiji envisaged t h a t the management of any production unit

should be a co-operative effort of both the owner and the worker.

Both of them should work as trustees, the owner a s the t rustee of

h i s wealth and the worker a s the t rustee of his ski l l . Therefore

there is no channel for exploitation and capi ta l labour disputes.

Though a t present t h e management of vi l lage industr ia l units a r e on

the co-operative basis , what is happening is tha t the owner is

considered as the authority of the uni t and the worker a s a tool

for production. This will not justify Gandhian idea of vi l lage

industry for vi l lage development, because i n h is idea l society there

is no distinction between the employer and employee.

In the Gandhian scheme of vi l lage industries both vi l lage

industry and agr icu l ture a r e interrelated. The agricul tur is ts

provide raw materials required by the local a r t i sans i n re turn to

which they produce necessary goods required by the vi l lages .

Therefore the a r t i sans can make use of the locally ava i lab le raw

materials. But i n Kerala the si tuation is different. The

entrepreneure has to depend on dis tant places or on other s ta tes

for the fulfilment of the i r raw material requirements. Some

industries i n Kerala a r e ava i l ing of r a w materials Erom

neighbouring vi l lages while others depend on neighbouring s ta tes

Like Tamil Nadu, Karanataka etc., for ravr materials. The main

reason i s t h a t the agr icu l tura l sector in Kerala is not

capable of providing necessary raw materials for vi l lage indust-

r ies. However to a certain extent these industr ies convert +

a

natura l resources and waste materials into useful products thereby

fulfi l l ing Gandhi j i ' s idea of vil lage industr ies .

The production i n vil lage industry, a s proposed by Gandhiji,

is need based and therefore the demand for the product is high.

Howeverat present the demand for the products from village industry

is low. This is because. necesary goods produced by small scale

and la rge scale industr ies a r e ava i lab le at cheap rate . Therefore

the KVIB h a s made a n attempt to improve production through the

diversification of the products.

Gandhiji suggested the idea of a l iving wage to the workers.

This is recognised a s the basis of wage system i n khadi and

village industr ies . The study revealed tha t the average monthly

income of a worker i n vi l lage industry is R s . 190/=. It is evident

tha t i n the present socio-economic condition th i s amount i s not

sufficient to sat isfy the basic needs of a n individual.

A s noticed i n previous chapters some sort of simple

machinery a r e used i n production i n which the consumption of

electricity is l e s s . Here machinery i s used not for increasing the

quantity of production but for improving the quali ty of the prcduct

and avoiding h a r d labour of workers. Gandhiji was not against

these simple machinery i n which negligence of human labour is

limited. It i s observed tha t these industries fu l f i l certain aspects

of Gandhiji 's idea of vi l lage industries, viz.

i. An engagement t o solve the boredom of idle hours.

ii . A s a means for bodily labour.

iFi. A method for a t ta ining vil lage self-sufficiency.

i v . A st ra tegy for decentralised production. !F igure - 8.2 presents th i s schematically.

8.5 Suggestions

The ana lys i s so f a r conducted reveal t ha t the programmes

and policies implemented by the Government help to revive the

vil lage industr ies i n Kerala. However they have not yet achieved

the desired resul t due to various problems confronting the sector.

The problems, which ac t a s hindrances in the development of

vil lage industr ies a r e pointed out i n preceeding discussions.

Though suggestions have already been made a t appropriate places

with a view ' t o improve the conditions of each industry, the venture

to suggest suitable solutions to solve the problems i n vi l lage

industry sector i n general is important. Based on the ana lys i s and

problems identified i n the study following suggestions a re made to

ensure the betterment and prospects of vil lage industries i n Kerala.

1. The motive behind the implementation of the unit should be the

service of the society, ra ther than the monetary benefits.

2 . Before s tar t ing a n industry, the entrepreneurs should be

convinced of the locally avai lable resources both material and

hurian.

3. Measures should be taken to avoid unnecessary delay i n

extending f inancial assistance for the establishment and rev iva l

of vil lage industries.

FIGURE 8.2

Role of Vfflage Industries i n the Development of Individual and Society

L

Village Industries

A

., Means

- for

Employment Self- reliance,

Income Social- Service Body Labour

This

. V V V W

Physical and Social Status Economic Social mental condi- condition condition tion

Development of Indivudual and Society.

w i l l help to improve

4. The inf ras t ruc tura l faci l i t ies of the bui ldings should be

J

improved i n such a way t h a t it will fac i l i t a te the working

conditions of a r t i sans .

5. As the remuneration from v i l lage indus t ry is very low

'1 measures should be taken to improve the wage structure of

ar t isans .

6. To solve the problem of paucity of r a w material and to

improve production provide them with necessary raw material a t

required time.

7. To ra i se the labour productivity and earn ings upgrade the

sk i l l of a r t i s ans through t ra in ing .

Introduce the welfare measures suggested for improving the

/ l iv ing conditions of a r t i s a ~ s .

2. Training should be given to t he entrepreneurs for proper

management of vil lage industr ies .

10. The Government should take necessary s teps to entrust the

monopoly of the production of cer ta in goods .such a s match, , soap, agarbathy, leather goods, decorative items, processing of

cereals, pulsus, f rui ts , vegetables etc . , on vi l lage industr ies

sector and prevent the l a rge scale sector from laying their

hold on these goods.

11. Attempts should be made to promote t rad i t iona l cra:tmanship so

a s to solve the problem of skil led labour .

12. Measures should be taken to avoid the contradiction in the

promotion of certain types of indus t r ies so a s to make the

functions of Khadi and Village Industries Board more effective.

13. Action should be taken to eliminate corruption at all levels i n

khadi and vi l lage industry sector.

14. Measures should be taken to a t t rac t the consumer's preference 1 7

to the products from village industry. For tha t following

precisions should be taken:

a . Standardisation of products whereever possible.

b . Quality improvement of products.

c. Better designing.

d . The price of the product should be controlled so tha t it

does not exceed the price of the m i l l products.

e. Proper advertisement, a s the people are not aware of the

materials produced by vi l lage industr ies sector.

15. Conscientise the public regarding the Gandhian vision of

vil lage industr ies and vil lage self-sufficiency. This w i l l help

the public to be aware of the role of vil lage industr ies i n the

attainment of v i l lage self sufficiency and thereby to give

preference t o v i l lage indus t r ia l products.

8.6 Conclusion

The present study was a modest attempt to analyse the

problems and prospects of vil lage industries i n Kerala. I t i s

revealed that vil lage industr ies play an important role i n the

vil lage development of Kerala. There is no doubt t ha t the clearing

out of the problems a s evolved from the study w i l l help the

development of v i l l age industr ies i n Kerala, which can ultimately

contribute to the process of vil lage deve10~ment-i" The study also

found the need for a more concrete study i n th i s a rea , which w i l l

facil i tate the functioning and promotion of vil lage industry sector.

The study l e a d s to the conclusion tha t it w i l l take time to

achieve Gandhiji 's idea of village self sufficiency through vil lage

industries. The present socio-economic and political environment

seems to be sceptical regarding the legacy of Gandhiji 's ideas i n

the upliftment or r u r a l folk. Therefore what i s needed is a n

ardent and earnest attempt to come back to real ise Gandhian vision .

of vil lage industr ies for vi l lage development.

The goal of Gandhian ideology i s t he attainment of

'Sarvodaya' or welfare of all, not only of human beings but also ,

of a l l the l iving organisms i n the universe) However the basic

trend i n the present society shows a deviation from Gandhian

ideology and the motive behind a l l programmes is more selfish

ra ther t han social. This occurs because of the a t t i tudinal change

and change i n the va lue system of the present society. Hence there

i s the need to have a basic change i n the motives and values

which can reactivate a positive spir i t of r e a l development model i n

man and society. Considering the peculiar characterist ics of India ,

there is no doubt t h a t Gandhian ideologies still have its relevance.

I t i s certain t ha t the proper implementation and application of a l l

programmes imbibing the t rue spiri t of Gandhian ideology alone w i l l

help in solving many of the problems confronting the nation.

Flourishing of such a value system w i l l lead us a long way in the

fulfilment of Gandhian vision of village industries for village

development.