Keyword

Agarbati Maker

Incense Stick Maker

The tasks an Agarbati Maker is expected to perform include:

Making scented agarbatis to give pleasant fragrance when lit

Collecting thin bamboo splints of required size

Mixing saw dust, gum and coloured powder of desired shade in specified quantities with water to make thick pulp

Adding scent or sandalwood powder to the pulp for desired fragrance

Rolling splints with required quantity of pulp on wooden plank smeared with thin oil

Preventing the pulp from sticking to plank

Removing pulp-coated splints and drying them in sun

Packing dried sticks in convenient packets

Gathering dried sticks into bundles of desired weight or number with trade labels wrapped for sale

Knowledge of agarbati making process

Well-versed with operating agarbati making machines for rolling splints, etc.

Familiar with agarbati making ingredients like coal dust, bamboo sticks, scent essence, etc.

Proficiency in packing agarbati in gelatin paper

Knowledge of preparing incense powders and cubes for burning in religious ceremonies and other occasions

Creative

Dexterity of hands

Patient

Good hand-eye co-ordination

Diligent and hardworking

It needs one to be on their toes

Need not handle a team

Local travelling is not a part of this job role

Part-time work and contractual jobs are available in some cities

Work from home option is not available

Working hours
Factories usually work for 6 days a week and 8/10 hours everyday. This may vary from factory to factory

Being self-employed is also an option. In this case, the working hours and days will be flexible

Shift system maybe available

Is the job suitable for a candidate with special needs
This job is suitable for candidates with One Leg (OL), Both Leg (BL), Blind (B), Lost Vision (LV) and

Hearing Impaired (HH)

The job is considered mildly hazardous or dangerous

Occupational hazards may include spinal pain, abdominal pain, hand and leg pain, strain on eyes, respiratory problems, etc.

Health risks include exposure to wooden dust, strong scents, etholin, etc.

For daily wage workers - INR 20 to INR 40 per 1kg of agarbati

(These figures are indicative and subject to change)

Overview of Agarbati Industry in India

India is one of the biggest producers of incense sticks in the world along with China, Tibet, Japan and Israel. All these countries have different variations of incense and use it in different forms. Though all of them use it for religious purposes, they come in different shapes and sizes in different countries. But bamboo sticks are most popular in India and Sri Lanka.

India exports agarbatis to nearly 90 countries thereby gaining a leadership position in the incense export industry. According to estimates global export has crossed 400 crore whereas domestic export is said to be around 2,000 crore. As there are no proper ISI laws on agarbati manufacturing, therefore there is no proper estimate of the number of incense producers or the amount of incense produced in the country. Also since there are no proper rules on the amount of raw materials needed along with their quantity, it is all based on customer requirements. During festive seasons, the demand rises drastically. The thing that best works for the incense market is that it is an important demand even in rural areas.

All the other countries dont use handmade incense. Many of them have incense making machines that reduce menial labour to quite some extent. India too uses automatic incense sticks making machines in many parts, but most of the market uses menial labour as it is cheap and has scope for larger employment. Automatic incense machines are being recognized as more helpful as they can make up to 250 incense sticks in one minute. The health risks involved in this are also comparatively lesser as people are not rolling them by hand now. Although they are still in direct contact with the ingredients, they are spending far lesser time with the chemicals than before. As the industry grows, so will the job opportunities for Agarbati Maker.

Agarbati manufacturers across India

Self-employed

Temples and pilgrimage places

Towns and cities across India