KHAMMAM: Despite the huge demand for bamboo handicrafts in the market and availability of expert instructors, the bamboo craft and wood carving vocational course being offered by the Vocational Training Institute (VTI) at Yetapaka near Bhadrachalam is struggling to attract adequate number of tribal students as compared with other job oriented vocational courses.

The six-month-long certificate course was introduced at the institute by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency nearly a decade ago to provide self employment oriented training for the tribal youth and promote the craftsmanship of the tribals of Bhadrachalam agency.

The services of experts from Tripura and Chhattisgarh were also tapped in by the institute to enable the trainees produce handicrafts of both utility and decorative value.

Notwithstanding the expert training offered during the course, it is gradually losing its sheen as was evident from the declining number of tribal students opting for the free residential course at VTI. At present only seven students are pursuing the course as against its total intake of ten.

Factors like lack of proper guidance and avenues to start the individual enterprise of their own to produce bamboo handicrafts and market the products have been discouraging the tribal youth from joining the course, sources added.

Brisk sale

In sharp contrast, there is a huge demand for the elegant bamboo handicrafts among the tourists visiting Papikondalu and other tourist attractions in Bhadrachalam division. The tribal artisans including those trained are making a brisk sale of their bamboo items at Perantalapalli.

Most of the tribal youth are opting for trades like jeep driving and mechanics compared to bamboo craft course due to their personal interest and the job opportunities in the chosen areas, said ITDA Project Officer Praveen Kumar.

When contacted, he said that comprehensive training was being imparted by expert instructors at VTI to the tribal youth for their economic uplift. Apart from promoting the sale of the bamboo handicrafts of the tribal artisans at the outlet run by the ITDA in Bhadrachalam, the products are also being sent to places like Hyderabad for sale in fairs, he said.