Moonj Craft Training Program

Utkarsh Jan Kalyan Sewa Samiti has been working with artisans of Sultanpur for the last 17 years towards skill development and Design development with and objective of creating Sustainable Livelihood for Artisans and Saving this Art.

Moonj is a wild grass that is available in abundance near rivers in India. This grass has traditionally been used by villagers for their huts and to make rope called Baadh in Uttar Pradesh for centuries. It is used for handicraft products i.e. Baskets, Mats, Ropes,s etc. from using Balla, sirki, and setha, all parts of this grass. Due to natural golden fibre characteristics, handicraft items prepared from Moonj are in high demand in the domestic as well as international market. However, artisans are leaving this art because of low prices and market access.