Evaluation Study MSE Cluster Development - Ministry of Micro ...

Chapter No: 4 – Soft Interventions in Sampled ClustersCHAPTER4SOFT INTERVENTIONS IN THESAMPLED CLUSTERS4.1 Introduction“Soft Interventions”, as they are most inappropriately termed are not ‘soft’ at all as theterm may imply. They are vital trust building measures undertaken to promotecooperation among individual cluster units. These measures are intended to bringcluster units together on a common platform by making them realise their collectivestrengths as compared to their strengths as individuals units.These measures are aimed at providing a spark or a critical inducement, to catalyzecollective action and to unravel the enormous latent power of cooperation that can leadto concrete individual benefits. The measures cement the bonds between individual unitsand bring them on to a common platform, strengthening their resolve to act together,and to unleash their collective strength. As such they are the basic and preparatorysteps which are most essential to create the conditions for the successful implementationof the Cluster Development Programme. These measures are aimed at building a strongconsensus around a feasible and well-designed action plan to strengthen the cluster, withthe support of the state.The nature of the clusters differs widely in terms of their input requirements, outputs,production processes, as well as developmental stages. In some cases they may bealready evolved and active while in other cases they may be less evolved, passive, andinert. The size and scale of activities and the degree of development are importantdifferentiators and as such the problems that they confront may be substantially differentin each case. Moreover, first generation small entrepreneurs in new businesses who arelikely to be more educated and progressive in their outlook, would require to bemobilised and motivated for collective action. A different approach would have to befollowed, and a different support system would have to be provided to them, ascompared to others who have evolved in the activity over many generations.Similarly, existing MSEs require different services at different stages of their growth,especially those that relate to modernisation and up-gradation of production processes,additional financing, new markets, etc. Additionally, MSEs are likely to have sectorspecific requirements. The soft interventions have to take into account all theseparameters while designing the action plan for such interventions.The Cluster Development Executive acts as a guiding force in the planning andimplementation of soft interventions. The roadmap for soft interventions is laid duringthe preparation of the diagnostic study itself. The diagnostic study must also identifythe needs of the cluster actors, as well as their common aspirations. Thecomprehensiveness of the diagnostic exercise helps in correctly identifying the commonneeds, that when articulated through an action plan, assists in building trust andcohesiveness.77