Kumbharguda potters expand into terracotta products

Jay Jagannath Producer Group was formed on 8 April 2022 with 35 women self-help-group members from Kumbharguda. ORMAS and Mission Shakti mobilised the group under the Aspirational District Programme and supported orientation and thematic training with KVIC.

The group has expanded beyond traditional pots and vessels to make home-decor items, cups, glasses, water bottles, idols, toys, kitchen utensils, diyas and flowerpots. Energy-efficient pottery wheels have helped address production time and capacity constraints.

The submitted record lists ₹1.04 lakh for institution building and capacity building, ₹1 lakh for equipment and a ₹5 lakh work shed through Special Central Assistance. A further ₹1 lakh in working capital is recorded as forthcoming, while ITDA Malkangiri supported a solar-run pottery machine.

A costing example in the source record shows that 100 clay pots require ₹6,700 in production costs and realise ₹10,000 in sales, leaving ₹3,300 in net profit, or ₹33 per unit. The group records annual turnover of ₹4.50 lakh and incremental income of ₹84,000 to ₹1 lakh per member each year.

The district administration’s next focus is to scale up quality production, strengthen market access and support research and product development.