CLRI launches Leather Goods Making training program under CSIR-SMART Village initiative

The CSIR–Central Leather Research Institute has commenced a two-week Leather Goods Making training program in Kusunpur Village, Odisha, under the CSIR-SMART Village initiative. The program, which began on 13 July 2026, is being implemented with the active participation and support of the local community.

The initiative has brought together 28 women from Kusunpur and nearby villages for intensive practical training in leather goods manufacturing. Participants are being introduced to modern production techniques and essential manufacturing skills aimed at improving their employability and preparing them for self-employment opportunities.

Through this initiative, CLRI seeks to strengthen rural livelihoods by enabling women to acquire market-oriented skills that can support small-scale enterprises and income-generating activities. The program also aligns with the institute's broader objective of promoting inclusive growth through technology dissemination and skill development at the grassroots level.

By combining technical training with community engagement, the initiative is expected to encourage entrepreneurship among rural women while contributing to the sustainable development of the leather sector. The program reflects CLRI's ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between research and community development by creating opportunities for skill enhancement and economic empowerment in rural India.