Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme (IFLDP)

Why in News?

• The Union Government has recently  approved the continuation of the Scheme ‘Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme (IFLDP)’ till 31st March 2026 or till further review.

Highlights

• It is a Central Sector Scheme, which aims at development of infrastructure for the leather sector, address environmental concerns specific to the leather sector, facilitate additional investments, employment generation and increase in production.
• It was launched by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The programme has a direct benefit towards quality employment generation especially for women, skill development, decent work, making the industry more environment friendly and prompting a sustainable production system.
• The leather clusters located In different parts of the country have accrued benefit in terms of reduction of poverty, gender equality, sector specific skill/education, etc., thus touching many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Other National Development Plans (NDPs) such as economic growth, generation of employment, good health and well-being, infrastructure development, affordable and clean energy and other environmental benefits are well-served by the IFLAD Programme.
• The Leather industry in India accounts for around 13% of the world’s leather production of hides/skins and handles a robust annual production of about 3 bn sq. ft. of leather.
• The Industry is known for its consistency in high export earnings and it is among the top 10 foreign exchange earners for the country.
• India has an abundance of raw materials with access to 20% of the world’s cattle and buffalo and 11% of the world’s goat and sheep population.