Amazon India on Monday announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Visakhapatnam Forest Tribals to help tribal artisans from Visakhapatnam sell authentic handcrafted products to a global audience via its e-commerce platform. Amazon said the key focus of the tie-up is to offer visibility and enable revenue generation through the forest produce manufactured by the tribals through listing on Amazon, thereby generating job opportunities.
Through its Karigar programme for artisans and weavers, the company said it will train tribal members in packaging and branding of goods to be sold online. Moreover, an e-commerce hub will be set up within the tribal area of Visakhapatnam Forest for different activities including primary and secondary packaging, storage, dispatch, and order processing.
Speaking on the MoU, Gaurav Bhatnagar, Director, Seller Acquisition and Development, Amazon India, said, “By joining hands with the Visakhapatnam Forest Tribals and expanding our Karigar Program’s reach, we are enriching the Amazon marketplace with authentic handcrafted products and upholding the legacy of age-old traditions.”
Amazon said the project would initially focus on the online sale of forest produce in non-consumable categories, such as grass weaving for mats, elephant dung paper, and bamboo utensils.
“Our collaboration with Amazon India will significantly benefit the tribal community residing in the heart of the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. This partnership will enable them to showcase their craftsmanship to a broader audience, thereby enhancing their living standards,” said Anant Shankar, IFS, District Forest Officer, Visakhapatnam.
Launched in 2017, the Amazon Karigar program enables small businesses and specialized micro-entrepreneurs like weavers, artisans, and artisans to benefit from e-commerce, grow their businesses. According to Amazon, the programme impacts over 18 lakh artisans with a selection of over 2 lakh handmade products across handloom, handicraft, hand-processed beauty & gourmet products, including over 470 arts and crafts from across the country.
Over the years, more than 30 government emporiums and five government NGOs have partnered with Amazon to reach customers online.