Stakeholders, officials, and artisans discussed policy support, willow management, GI status, and financial interventions to ensure the sustainable growth of Kashmir's iconic cricket bat industry.
February 26, Awantipora: The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), in collaboration with SPVLG Artisans Foundation, organized a stakeholder workshop on the development and promotion of micro enterprises in the cricket bat industry of Jammu & Kashmir at the CIED IUST Foundation, Awantipora.
The workshop was chaired by Prof. Pervaiz Ahmad, Director of CIED-IUST, who attended the program as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, he emphasized the urgent need for clear government policies on raw material management, particularly willow wood, stating that the long-term sustainability of the cricket bat industry depends on coordinated efforts among government departments, financial institutions, research bodies, and industry stakeholders.
Key participants included officials from SIDBI, the Forest Department, banking institutions, representatives of the Handloom and Handicrafts Department, and experts from the Craft Development Institute Srinagar. A large number of cricket bat manufacturers, unit owners, and association heads from the bat cluster also participated in the discussions.
During interactive sessions, manufacturers raised serious concerns about the limited availability of willow plantations and the lack of access to land for large-scale plantation, emphasizing its importance for uninterrupted raw material supply and protecting livelihoods linked to the sector.
Addressing the gathering, SIDBI officials detailed ongoing interventions aimed at strengthening enterprises, improving market access, and providing financial support to micro and small units. They reaffirmed the bank's commitment to supporting the sector through SPVLG Artisans Foundation, with a focus on capacity building, market linkages, and enterprise sustainability.
Experts also highlighted the Geographical Indication status of the Kashmir cricket bat, emphasizing its role in brand protection, value addition, and global recognition, and called for greater awareness and effective enforcement of GI norms to enhance artisan incomes.
The proceedings were conducted by the Chairman of SPVLG Artisans Foundation, who presented the vote of thanks and emphasized the need for continued stakeholder engagement, policy coordination, and collaborative action to ensure the long-term growth of the cricket bat industry in Jammu & Kashmir.
