Farasi is traditionally the product introduced in Sindh through the immigrants from Baluchistan areas. These migrants have had herds of sheep, goat, and camels with them and it was their general practice to use hair of their animals in making Farasi. Farasi were being made by these migrant were generally for their personal/ domestic use.

With the promotion of this product at local level, they used to prepare in a huge quantity for selling and hence, this product has started to be a good source of income for these migrant.

With the permanent settlement of these migrants in upper Sindh, they adopted making this product as a profession for their earning. Farasi is a major source of income for these people in these days. They not only fulfill the need of local market but also export best quality Farasi to other countries especially Japan.

Farasi is a traditional craft of the Sindh. Mainly its weaving has been done in district Badin now days. Tradition Khaddi machine is used for its preparation. There is no mechanized system. Generally this job is done by women in their house. Khaddi units are made locally with wood and are detachable easily. These units are established in the houses of women and on each unit two craftswomen works.

The craft is mainly done by women in their houses after performing their routine tasks. These women spent 6-8 hours daily for weaving Farasi of good design. There is limited no. of women who can only prepare designed Farasi whereas a good no. of women can make simple Farasi. These Farasi are used usually for bed layers for their own purpose. Buyers who know about this craft can get these products on orders. A Farasi of 8x4 is completed in a three months time. For a simple design time may be decreased to 15 days per farasi. The product price ranges from 800 to 8000.
Project objectives:

? To establish indigenous rug center (Rugs are made of Camel hairs).
? To conserve the dying indigenous skill of making indigenous of rugs/flat woven carpets
? To introduce product diversification in Farasi carpets by working on new designs of Farasi and introduction of various Bi-products of Farasi.
? To promote the indigenous Farasi carpets and other handicrafts woven products made of camel hairs in the markets


Activities to be carried out under project:

? Provision of plot donated by the community for the construction of the Center
? Establishing indigenous rug center (Rugs are made of Camel hairs) in village Bajari Sharif Golarichi Badin
? Baseline survey of the village with special focus on the Farasi business and the artisanship and new designs
? Selection of trained artisan and new learners to provide and get training of making Farasi/rugs
? Preparation of a Training Manual in local language for training and capacity building of the selected women artisan and new learners
? Capacity building of 5 women master trainers that will be involved in the training of new learners
? Training of 60 women artisans
? Preparation of new designs and patterns of Farasi keeing in view current national and international market need
? Preparation of new bi-products such as wall hangs, table mats, wallets, purses, bad sheets, door and windows covers and drawing room decoration appliances.
? Exhibition of the Farasi and bi products
? Participating in national and international exhibitions and display the prepared products to promote the skill
? Knowledge Management and Preparation, printing and distribution of promotional material such as brochures, posters, sign boards, etc
? Preparation, display and distribution of sample designs at various level
? Formation of Women group that will be transformed into CCB of artisan.
? Showing the handicraft items made of Camel hairs at Hotel Sereena. (This activity is added as per suggestion of NSC)


Project stakeholders and beneficiaries:
? Related community of the village (Male, Female, Children).
? Implementing organization and technical partners
? Other NGOs/CBOs
? UNDP GEF SGP

Anticipated output of project:

? A well equipped indigenous rug/Farasi center is established which will continue building capacities of the women in making farasi/rugs and promotion of the skill
? 60 women are trained in making the indigenous Farasi/rugs and other bi-products well training women will be available in the village which will be working on Farasi development keeping in view the market demands and will be supporting to their families.
? Developed a group of women master trainers in making the Farasi/rugs with camel hairs.
? A training manual in Sindhi language with pictorial format is developed, which could be replicated in the other villages also.
? The registered CCB of women artisan will be available which will be working on the same theme and will search the other funding for the continuation of the work.
? A well capacitated CBO (the implementing organization) will be available in the village which could work better for the target community.