Prayagraj: In order to promote self-employment opportunities to traditional artisans engaged in pottery art and also to provide alternatives to environmentally harmful plastic products, the state government’s ‘Mukhyamantri Matikala Yojana’ (Chief Minister’s Pottery Art Scheme) has offered as many as 463 electric potter’s wheels among beneficiaries free of cost in the Prayagraj district since 2019.Jawahar Lal, District Khadi and Village Industries Officer (Prayagraj) said that, “Under CMPAS , artisans can avail loans of up to ₹10 lakh, accompanied by a 25% subsidy. Additionally, electric potter’s wheels and clay-preparing ‘pug mills’ are provided to these artisans free of cost.”In the current financial year, a target has been set to distribute 45 electric wheels and 3 pug mills. For that, the interview process has already been completed.Manoj Kumar Prajapati, from Giddhar village in Lalapur village mentions that his family has been engaged in pottery for generations. While they previously produced only traditional items like clay lamps (diyas), water pots (Ghadas), and shallow clay bowls (parais), they are now creating products that meet modern market demands—such as designer kulhads (disposable clay cups), surahis (long-necked water vessels), cups and saucers, pickle jars, toys, floor tiles, washbasins, flower pots, and clay lamps. These products have strong market demand and generate higher income for the artisans.Previously, they lacked the capital and modern equipment needed to expand their operations. Through the ‘Matikala Yojana’, he received financial assistance of ₹5 lakh, enabling him to buy an electric potter’s wheel and the government is now also providing a clay-preparing pug mill, which has further boosted his productivity. These interventions have reduced the physical strain on artisans and increased production capacity.The primary objective of promoting craft is to keep this traditional folk art alive and curb the migration of rural artisans. Driven by growing public awareness regarding the health benefits of earthenware, the demand for these terracotta and clay products from Prayagraj is steadily rising in the market.These handcrafted products from Prayagraj are no longer confined to local markets. With the support of the district administration and the Khadi and Village Industries department, these products are being listed on platforms like IndiaMART, GeM, and other online marketplaces to reach home décor enthusiasts. Additionally, handicraft fairs and ‘haats’ organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre have opened up new market avenues for them.
