New Delhi: Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Diligent Initiative (DI) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to strengthen the livelihoods of women in Namrup, Assam.
The initiative, titled “Strengthening Women’s Livelihoods through Advanced Water Hyacinth Skill Development & Market Linkages,” aims to provide advanced training and market support to women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. S. P. Mohanty, Managing Director, HURL, at Namrup, Assam.
HURL CSR Initiative to Benefit 80–100 SHG Women
Under the initiative, HURL and Diligent Initiative will work towards empowering 80–100 SHG women through specialised training and market-oriented support in water hyacinth handicrafts.
The programme will focus on developing existing skills while helping participating women improve the quality and marketability of their handicraft products.
Key Focus Areas
- Advanced skill development in water hyacinth handicrafts
- Upskilling of participating SHG women
- Market linkages for water hyacinth-based products
- Support for rural entrepreneurship
- Creating opportunities for enhanced incomes
- Promoting sustainable livelihoods
Focus on Water Hyacinth-Based Handicrafts
Water hyacinth, an aquatic plant, can be used as a raw material for a range of handicraft products. The HURL-backed programme will focus on strengthening the skills of SHG women engaged in this activity.
Through advanced training, participants will have an opportunity to improve their craftsmanship and develop products that can access wider markets.
The market linkage component is intended to connect the women and their products with potential buyers and markets, helping them move beyond skill development towards income-generating opportunities.
Programme to Promote Women’s Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship
The initiative is designed to go beyond traditional skill training by combining technical upskilling with market access.
The programme seeks to create pathways for participating women to strengthen their livelihoods through handicraft-based activities and explore opportunities for rural entrepreneurship.
The key expected outcomes include:
- Improved handicraft-making skills
- Better product quality and market readiness
- Greater access to markets
- Enhanced income-generation opportunities
- Support for women-led rural entrepreneurship
- More sustainable livelihood opportunities for SHG members
HURL and Diligent Initiative Join Hands Under CSR
The partnership brings together HURL’s CSR efforts and Diligent Initiative’s role in implementing the skill development and market linkage programme. The collaboration is focused on creating practical livelihood opportunities for women in the Namrup area by combining training with support for market access.
By targeting 80–100 SHG women, the programme seeks to create a wider community-level impact through women’s skill development and income-generating activities.
Initiative Strengthens Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities in Namrup
The programme is expected to contribute to livelihood development in Namrup, Assam, by supporting women engaged in water hyacinth-based handicrafts.
The focus on skill development, entrepreneurship and market linkages is intended to help participating women build more sustainable income opportunities.
The initiative also reflects the role of CSR programmes in supporting local communities through skill development and livelihood generation.
Key Details of HURL-Diligent Initiative MoU
- Companies/Organisations: HURL and Diligent Initiative
- Programme: Strengthening Women’s Livelihoods through Advanced Water Hyacinth Skill Development & Market Linkages
- Location: Namrup, Assam
- Beneficiaries: 80–100 SHG women
- Focus: Advanced skill development, upskilling and market linkages
- Product Area: Water hyacinth-based handicrafts
- Expected Impact: Enhanced incomes, rural entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods
- HURL Representative: Dr. S. P. Mohanty, Managing Director, HURL
About HURL
Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) is a joint venture company in the fertiliser sector, established to strengthen India’s domestic fertiliser production capacity. The company also undertakes CSR initiatives focused on community development, livelihood generation, skill development and social welfare in areas around its operations.
Read also: HURL Wins Recognition for Innovative HR Practices at Asia Pacific HRM Congress Awards
