Agarbathi industry has potential to boost employment among women: AIAMA

Bengaluru: The year 2020 unleashed havoc on organised and unorganised sectors. The year was no challenging for the agarbathi (incense sticks) industry as well.

Arjun Ranga, president, AIAMA (All India Agarbathi Manufacturers' Association) stated that the industry has witnessed a significant growth over the years. Some of the major drivers for this recovery has been home consumption and continued interest from export markets.

"While the industry has the potential to grow, for the positive outlook to turn into reality will require consistent supply of good quality raw materials. One of the major challenges that will have to be addressed in 2021 will be on ensuring availability of key raw materials like Joss powder (Litsea Chinensis) and specific species of Bamboo (Bambusa Tulda). Our government is encouraging the cultivation of Litsea and the Bambusa Tulda and it will take at least five years for us to start seeing results," he said.

The association says one of the biggest initiatives that has enabled the workforce is semi mechanisation of the raw agarbathi making process.

This thrust on semi mechanisation has helped women increase their daily production significantly.

"In the last year alone, our members have completely localised manufacturing, helping create many new opportunities for rural women. AIAMA is working towards setting up a state-of-the-art scientific research centre to study the benefits of aromachology and use of fragrances in mood uplift. The plans are also to set up Training Centres and collaborate with ITI's to create an internship program for technicians to manage agarbathi machines," Ranga said.

At present more than 700 agarbathi manufacturers across India are life members with AIAMA.

AIAMA remarked that if supported, agarbathi industry has the potential to not only contribute to the country's exchequer, it can also give gainful employment to people as a highly labour intensive industry, the growth in the industry will directly impact the hiring of talent.