Focuses on the financial well-being of artisans through market access, income generation, and supportive infrastructure.

a - Market Access and Visibility

Sabai products have niche presence but lack digital footprint and export linkages.

b - Fair Pricing and Income

Below value compensation

c - Access to Financial Support

Low uptake of artisan loans or insurance schemes; SHG loans common.

d - Infrastructure and Workspace

Artisans often work from open courtyards or shared spaces with minimal tools.

e - Monitoring and Data Collection

There is no organized mechanism to track production, wages, or inventory.

f - Entrepreneurship and Value Addition

Some clusters show growth in upcycled and decorative products.

g - Supply Chain and Logistics

Informal networks are dominant; inter-district transport remains costly.

h - Access to Government Schemes

Low awareness and cumbersome processes limit access.

Addresses protection, recognition, and promotion of the craft’s traditional and spiritual value.

a - Cultural Preservation Efforts

Practices continue in tribal ceremonies but lack archival documentation.

b - Legal Protection and GI Tag Awareness

Sabai has no GI tag; artisan awareness of IP is minimal.

c - Storytelling and Cultural Branding

Products lack a compelling brand narrative connected to heritage.

d - Inclusion in Tourism Circuits

Craft sites are not featured in Odisha’s rural tourism.

e - Cultural Event Participation and Representation

Clusters participate in regional craft melas but not consistently.

f - Archival and Museum Inclusion

No documentation in museums or academic spaces yet.

Focuses on continuous learning, skill upgradation, and leadership creation within the artisan ecosystem.

a - Skill Development Programs

NGO and DIC programs exist but lack follow-up or certification.

b - Design Innovation

Product variety is improving, often led by external design mentors.

c - Leadership and Mentorship Development

Very few artisans are trained to become trainers or cooperative leads.

d - Trainer and Master Artisan Networks

Senior artisans are isolated; peer learning structures are informal.

e - Business and Soft Skills Training

Communication, pricing, and marketing skills are underdeveloped.

f - Monitoring and Evaluation

Few tools are used to assess long-term impact of training efforts.

Focuses on market driven product and design development

a. - Adaptation to Textiles, Paper, Decor

Some efforts underway; needs material and market research.

b. - Originality in Design Forms

Mostly based on traditional basket forms; innovation in early stages.

c. - Access to Formal Design Mentorship

Limited to few clusters in contact with urban designers.

d. - New Product Development

Focus on utility and decor products is increasing.

e. - Cross-Cultural Inspiration

Limited exposure to national/global aesthetic trends.

f. - Market Research and Feedback

Products rarely incorporate end-user feedback.

Focuses on market driven product and design development

a. - Youth Engagement

Youths are aware but see craft as low-income; urban migration common.

a. - Community Collaboration

SHGs show strong internal cooperation; some inter-village ties.

c. - Parental and Family Influence on Craft Learning

Family legacy plays a role but is waning.

d. - Peer Motivation and Role Modeling

Local champions are few; motivation often driven by necessity.

e. - Community Festivals and Collective Making

Ceremonial co-making still active during harvest and wedding seasons.

Targets physical well-being, eco-conscious production, and improved working environments.

a. - Health and Ergonomic Practices

Long hours and posture-related issues; health insurance uncommon.

b. - Sustainable Practices

Grass is renewable; some chemical dyes still in use.

c. - Access to Health and Social Security Services

Very few artisans are enrolled in social security or pension plans.

d. - Workplace Sanitation and Safety

Basic safety and hygiene standards need improvement.

e. - Climate-Responsive Working Conditions

No weather-adapted workspaces; work halts during monsoon.

f - Storage and Display Solutions

Finished products often stored unsafely.

g - Availability of Tools & Materials

Scarcity in off-seasons; no centralized supply mechanism.

h - Dedicated Workspaces

No standardized or climate-friendly units in most villages.

Concerns the ability of artisans to engage with the digital economy and influence policies.

a. - Digital Literacy and Online Presence

Mobile use is common but digital marketing is rare.

b. - Policy Advocacy and Representation

Artisans rarely participate in state or national policy forums.

c. - Access to Digital Infrastructure

Connectivity is patchy; digital tools unavailable.

d. - E-commerce Readiness and Training

Few have training in using platforms like Amazon Karigar or Flipkart Samarth.

e. - Content Creation and Language Accessibility

Social media and digital catalogues not created in tribal dialects.

Deals with functional literacy, integration of traditional wisdom, and institutional knowledge sharing.

a. - Functional Literacy and Education Access

Literacy improving among women; gaps in older generations.

b. - Traditional Knowledge

Cultural memory and oral skills are strong.

c. - Research and Knowledge Exchange

No academic studies or craft-based research hubs.

d. - Skill-based Vocational Learning in Schools

Craft not taught in school curricula.

e. - Artisan-Led Community Learning Circles

Exist informally, lacking curriculum or visibility.

f - Language Inclusion and Multilingual Learning Tools

Learning resources not available in local dialects.

Explores how changing environmental patterns affect livelihoods and encourages ecological stewardship.

a - Impact of Climate on Livelihoods

Erratic rainfall affects raw material cycles.

b - Eco-friendly Resource Use

Grass use is low-impact; accessories not always biodegradable.

c - Environmental Education and Stewardship

Environmental training is absent in cluster-level programs.

d - Waste Management and Resource Efficiency

Scrap and dye waste not reused.

e - Climate Adaptation Awareness

No training in adapting production to weather shifts.

f - Forest and Biodiversity Coexistence Practices

Forest-friendly practices exist but are undocumented.

Women’s Participation and Leadership

Women dominate production and lead most Self Help Groups.

Tribal women artisans are the backbone of Sabai craft clusters, often managing entire production cycles—from harvesting and dyeing to weaving and marketing. Their leadership in SHGs empowers community-based governance and enhances group accountability.

Sustainable Harvesting Practices

Community-driven, eco-friendly harvesting methods.

Artisans collect Sabai grass post-monsoon following traditional ecological knowledge that ensures regrowth. This sustainable method promotes long-term availability and strengthens environmental stewardship.

Cultural Continuity in Ritual Use

Sabai products retain ritualistic value in tribal customs.

Baskets are integral to tribal ceremonies like weddings and harvest festivals. These uses reinforce the cultural identity of communities and ensure generational transmission of the craft.

Participation in National Exhibitions

Sabai products featured regularly at state/national fairs.

Events like Surajkund Mela and IITF Delhi have offered significant visibility and bulk orders. Artisans gain exposure to diverse audiences and markets, elevating brand value and economic returns.

Strong Community Identity and Ownership

Craft practices are closely tied to tribal identity and collective memory.

Sabai weaving is not just a skill but a community tradition rooted in intergenerational participation. This collective ownership ensures consistency of knowledge transfer, trust among artisans, and sustained cultural relevance.

Eco-Friendly and Biodegradable Product Appeal

Products align with global sustainability standards.

As consumers shift toward eco-conscious living, Sabai grass products—being fully natural, compostable, and handmade—offer a unique selling proposition. They fulfill sustainability criteria for green procurement and lifestyle products, increasing their appeal in premium markets.

Inadequate Infrastructure and Workspace

Remote areas lack proper production facilities.

Many artisans operate from homes or temporary sheds. Lack of dyeing units, storage spaces, and common facility centers limits productivity and quality consistency.

Limited Digital Literacy and Branding

Digital adoption is low; branding remains underdeveloped.

Most artisans rely on catalogues and WhatsApp-based selling. Absence of structured branding, packaging design, and storytelling makes the products less competitive in urban and international markets.

Occupational Health and Safety Gaps

Inconsistent use of protective gear and health support.

Artisans often work without gloves, masks, or adequate lighting, particularly during dyeing and stitching. Awareness of health entitlements and preventive care is minimal.

Low Access to Financial and Legal Instruments

Limited registration and scheme enrollment.

Many artisans are unaware of schemes like NRLM or GI registration benefits. This hinders credit access, business formalization, and long-term financial planning.

Lack of Product Diversification

Product range is often limited to baskets and trays.

Despite potential, many clusters are yet to explore other categories such as fashion accessories, contemporary decor, or hybrid utility items. This restricts expansion into broader market segments.

Irregular Supply Chain and Logistics

Weak linkages in transportation and raw material flow.

Remote cluster locations and inadequate rural infrastructure result in delayed material access, limited market responsiveness, and difficulty in meeting larger or export-oriented orders.

Eco-Conscious Consumer Trends

Rising demand for sustainable lifestyle products.

Urban and international consumers are seeking biodegradable, ethical home and fashion items. With eco-friendly branding and certifications, Sabai products can tap into these emerging markets.

Youth Engagement through Design & Digital Platforms

Younger artisans are embracing design and digital tools.

Social media have opened new channels for storytelling, customization, and direct-to-consumer models. This can lead to fresh aesthetics and entrepreneurial innovation.

CSR and Government Investment

Increased support through policy and CSR grants.

Programs by ORMAS, TRIFED, and DDU-GKY offer skill building, toolkits, and marketing support. Collaborations with corporates under CSR can fund innovation labs and e-commerce onboarding.

Formal Education and Skill Certification

Scope for vocational training and certification.

Integrating Sabai craft into vocational education through ITIs and skill missions will formalize expertise, improve wages, and attract new entrants.

Integration into Sustainable Tourism and Rural Experience Economies

Growing demand for cultural tourism and rural craft experiences.

With Odisha's increasing emphasis on eco-tourism, Sabai clusters can develop tourism-linked workshops, live demonstrations, and experiential sales models that combine craft and cultural storytelling to attract new markets.

Expansion into International Fair-Trade Networks

Potential to join certified ethical trade platforms.

By aligning with global fair-trade principles and applying for certification, Sabai artisan groups can access ethically motivated buyers, command higher margins, and reduce dependency on exploitative intermediaries.

Resource Depletion due to Climate Variability

Erratic rainfall and forest degradation affect grass yield.

Seasonal scarcity of Sabai grass due to ecological stress limits production. Deforestation and overharvesting without rewilding pose long-term risks.

Migration and Declining Youth Interest

Rural youth prefer non-craft occupations.

Due to better pay and social mobility in other sectors, many youth migrate, leading to gaps in artisan succession and knowledge retention.

Market Saturation and Price Pressure

Low-price competition from machine-made substitutes.

Cheap imports and synthetic alternatives undercut handmade Sabai products. Without design innovation and branding, artisans are forced to sell at lower margins.

Dependency on Intermediaries

Lack of direct market access.

Many artisan groups are still dependent on traders who offer low prices. This reduces profitability and bargaining power, perpetuating economic vulnerability.

Lack of Product Standardization and Certification

Absence of uniform quality benchmarks and labeling.

Without formal certification or product standards, Sabai items struggle to build trust among large-scale buyers. This restricts entry into premium markets and makes artisans vulnerable to inconsistent buyer expectations.

Limited Access to Intellectual Property Protection

Inadequate awareness and use of GI tags or IP tools.

Sabai grass products have yet to secure GI recognition, and most artisans are unaware of intellectual property rights. This limits brand identity, discourages innovation, and increases the risk of imitation by mass producers.