Guwahati: The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) had formed “NE-SHILP” to promote artisans and the handcrafted products from the 8 states of North East India.

NE-SHILP, or the North East Society for Handicraft Incubation and Livelihood Promotion, is a not-for-profit society for promotion of craft products of the states of North East India . It is under the CSR arm of NEDFi. It is one stop solution for handpicked craft products & packaged agro-horti products from of North East India

Under NE-SHILP, two models have been adopted. One, it buys unique handcrafted products from the artisans/SHGs of the North East , and second, it keeps artisan products “On Sale” basis.

Currently NE-SHILP works with Water Hyacinth , Banana Fiber , Cardamom Fiber, Cane, Bamboo and Natural Fibers.
When it buys from the artisans, NE-SHILP sells the products at its own price. In the “On-Sale” basis system, artisans decide the price. Products are sold on MRP as per the artisan. As and when the product is sold, NE-SHILP transfers the sales amount to the artisan’s account after a deduction of handling charges which varies from 5% to 15%.

They also market products from government entities like TRISSAM, NERAMAC, APART amongst others.

Other than online presence via nedfihaat.com and other e-commerce websites NE-SHILP currently has 5 physical stores: NEDFI Haat (Guwahati), Craft Gallery( Dispur), NEDFi Craft Gallery (Pan Bazaar, Guwahati), Craft Showroom (Khetri), Urban Haat (Mamallapuram) and North East Mart (Greater Noida).

It started predominantly with handicrafts and later handloom. Over a period of time with customer requests, it included packaged agri-horti products. These products are generally not found in commercial markets but these are directly drawn from Farmers Producers Company (FPOs) and small entrepreneurs.

NEDFi is a pioneer in promoting water hyacinth craft in India. In 2007, a NEDFi delegation went to Thailand to celebrate “North East Business Opportunity Week”. They found water hyacinth products being made there. In Assam, water hyacinth is considered as a nuisance. But NEDFi wanted to convert this waste to wealth for the villagers of Assam.

Following that, master artisans were brought from Thailand. They were brought to NEDFi R&D in Khetri, Assam. They conducted numerous ‘Train the Trainer’ session for local artisans. These local trainers then trained others in the craft.

Till date, NEDFi has trained above 4,000 people in this craft. The beneficiaries were not only from from northeast but from across India.

Many artisans are also given design intervention to bring a modern look to the products as per emerging fashion.

NE-SHILP also takes part in major craft exhibitions in the country & abroad to promote North East artisans and their crafts.

Till date more than 15,000 people are directly or indirectly associated with NE-SHILP most of whom are women from the marginalised communities.

Initiated in 2006 as Centre for Practical Livelihood Training(CPLT), it was rechristened as NESHILP in 2016.

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