ENVIS Technical Report: 90,  April 2015
http://www.iisc.ernet.in/
SMART VILLAGE FRAMEWORK
http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/
1Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, 2Centre for Sustainable Technologies (astra)
3 Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning [CiSTUP], Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560 012, India
Web: http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy E Mail: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in; ganesh@ces.iisc.ernet.in Tel: 91-080-22933099, 2293 3503 extn 101, 107, 114
4Adamya Chetana, Annapoorna - Bangalore, Community Hall, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560019 Tel: 080 2662 0404, E Mail: tejaswini.acf@gmail.com
5 R K Mission, Shivanahalli, Anekal, Bangalore, E Mail: vishnumayananda@gmail.com

*Corresponding author: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in

CLUSTER APPROACHES IN DEVELOPMENT: INDUSTRIES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Clusters are groups of companies and institutions co-located in a specific geographic region and linked by interdependencies in providing a related group of products and/or services. Because of the proximity among them – both in terms of geography and of activities – cluster constituents enjoy the economic benefits of several types of positive location-specific externalities. In the Indian context, a ‘cluster’ is the agglomeration of small and medium enterprises producing same/similar products/services or engaged in the same line of manufacturing activities or services, located within an identifiable and, as far as practicable, contiguous area. In recent years, many cluster initiatives have been launched, involving virtually all regions of the world and their number is growing. Two-thirds of European Union nations have introduced the cluster approach in their innovation policy, while several European initiatives are based on the provision of incentives and funding to boost competitive territorial advantages. The main objectives of the clustering are;

  • Consideration of Skills
  • Need for upgrading skill to meet challenges
  • Identification of trainers and training institutes
  • Generating economic opportunities for the poor
  • Importance of participatory approach

Table 10 lists the various activities for cluster of villages depending upon the resource availability, socio-economic and geographical status. Sericulture, medicinal plants and agriculture can be practiced in all villages and industries for agro processing and medicine extraction for plants can be established. Home industries such as paper bag and incense stick making, preparing food products from Ragi and garlands from flowers grown in the village can also be initiated. However, proper marketing mechanism should also be introduced to sustain the activity.  Apart from this following entrepreneurship initiative can be planned in the region;

  • Initiatives such as solar PV micro-grid, community biogas plants and community hot water supply system can generate employment for skilled youths.
  • Wildlife tourism with the support from Bannerghatta National Park is a viable and attractive option for young men and women which also attracts wildlife enthusiasts from cities. Trained guides of the villages can become ambassadors to spread awareness about nature conservation.
  • A centre may be planned (similar to Bandipur Knowledge Centre) so that school children from the city would be benefitted while local youth get job at the centre.
  • Sports training centre with modern facilities to be started which is non-polluting and can attract youths from all over the state.
  • Biodiversity management Committee to be formed for effective implementation of provisions of Biodiversity Act and to see that the notification of MoEF pertaining to the guidelines on benefit sharing and commercial utilisation of bio-resources.
  • A pharmaceutical factory can be set up for small scale production of Ayurvedic medicines from locally produced medicinal herbs (including from neighbouring places).
  • Rehabilitation centre for old people who are not getting adequate home care can be planned.

Table 10: Cluster wise activity details

 

 

 

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