Gorakhpur Terracotta craft products are also included in the special identity of Gorakhpur. Ever since Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath included Terracotta in the ODOP (One District One Product) scheme seven years ago, the business of this clay craft is growing day by day. Now the Terracotta business will flourish further through the Common Facility Center (CFC). Two CFCs are already in process from the District Industries Center and now a voluntary organization Safe Society has also taken initiative for this in collaboration with SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India). Work has started on opening a CFC in Bharwalia of Gulriha by SIDBI. This will provide a lot of convenience to the Terracotta artisans. The process of opening CFCs in Padri Bazar and Aurangabad is going on by the District Industries Center.

The Common Facility Centre for Terracotta being built in Bharwalia is expected to be operational by the end of this month. Here the craftsmen will have a single point of contact for all kinds of work. Vaibhav Sharma, Chairman of Safe Society, said that the CFC is being built inspired by the initiative taken by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath regarding Terracotta. This CFC will have facilities like electric furnace, training of artisans and providing market for the finished goods.

Manish Sinha, General Manager of SIDBI Lucknow Region, says that opening of Terracotta CFC will facilitate new training and production of products using new technology. Not only this, more goods will be produced in less cost and less time. If earthen pots or other products are baked in the old way, it takes more than 18 hours and if it is baked in the tunnel furnace of CFC, then one trolley of terracotta is baked in thirty minutes. He said that if the craftsmen working in CFC will get business benefits, then new people in this field will also be able to join the business by taking training. Manish Sinha said that the CFC will be operated by SIDBI for two years. After this, SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) will be formed and it will be handed over to the beneficiary craftsmen.

Craftsmen now have plenty of work throughout the year

Terracotta crafts, which were losing their charm till seven years ago, got the support of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's ambitious ODOP scheme and the colour of this clay became brighter. Terracotta craftsmen, who used to sit idle often, now have plenty of work throughout the year. On festivals like Diwali, they get orders six months in advance.

Terracotta craft turned into an enterprise

To turn terracotta craft into an enterprise, CM Yogi included it in the multidimensional and ambitious ODOP scheme. After joining ODOP, terracotta craftsmen not only got resourceful, financial and technical help, but under the leadership of the CM, such tremendous branding took place that its market expanded immensely. The Chief Minister himself brands terracotta from various platforms. In a way, its brand ambassador is Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself. With the availability of electric wheel, pugmill, design table etc., the work of the craftsmen became easier and productivity increased three to four times.

More than 30 percent new people are associated with the Terracotta business

At present, terracotta craft work is going on at a large scale in Aurangabad, the original village of terracotta, as well as in Gulriha, Bharwalia, Jungle Ekla No. 2, Ashrafpur, Hafiz Nagar, Padri Bazar, Belwa, Balapar, Shahpur, Saraiya Bazar, Jhungiya, Arazi Rajdhani of Jhangha area etc. After joining ODOP, due to the growth of the market, about 30-35 percent new people are also associated with the terracotta business.