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owing to several factor as highlighted by the report. The socio economic status is mixed as weaving
activity is not limited to a particular class but practices by all classes and social groups alike.
The sector suffers from the lack of upgradation in technology. Additionally the weavers have little linkage
with the market which could give thrust to their business. Contrary to beliefs, the slow pace of growth is
not due to lack of interest among weavers to upgrade their looms or adopt newer designs, rather it is due
to an acute lack of awareness among weavers related to many aspect of development vis a vis upgraded
looms, schemes and programmes, association with handloom office and credit support.
Weavers have enthusiastically expressed their desire for training and upgradation but they don’t have
access to proper guidance required to go through the process whether it is regarding initiating a corporate
society, communicate with the district handloom office, avail government schemes and programmes,
and explore the applicable credit options. In many ways it is not always possible for the village weavers
to make rounds to the far distance of the city coupled with the burden of household work.
It is crucial to understand that loan application requires thorough understanding of the schemes without
which it becomes difficult for the weavers to feel confident about availing loan. They need rightful
instructions, incentives and assurance about their benefits and opportunites. Government and Banking
Instiutions play a large role in this regard and thus require to be actively involved in this process as it is
impossible to achieve without their support.
Weavers have a miniscule reach to the market, largely the independent weavers, who make an income
from selling their product among the village community. In order to convince the weavers to adopt the
necessary upgradation there should be visible expansion of their market and product demand tomotivate
them. If there is little scope and opportunities for the weavers to sustain their income from weaving then
there will be a decline in the handloom activity, This thought was evident from the statements of the
weavers who expressed their concern that young family members or new generation in general is less
inclined towards learning weaving and display less interest in furthering the handloom tradition as they
foresee limited prospects in the future.
Weavers from the district are in need of greater exposure and expansion. Apart from that they require
support in gaining information about programmes and credit schemes.A large section of weavers needs
to be integrated with the handloom department. In simplistic terms, lack of awareness seems the root
cause for many problems which cannot be changed overnight and to get rid of this problem a proper
channel and programme in large scale needs to be initiated which could permeate across villages to
spread required awareness and knowledge. The government is emphasizing on rejuvenating the
handloom sector and it needs to reach the weavers in order to meet that target. Further, an overall
healthy market for handloom products across all regions needs to be generated especially at times when
the sector is facing stiff competition from power looms and textile industry.
To conclude, ensuring the sustenance of handloom is not only a task of enhancing economic viability
of the sector but a responsibility of protecting the cultural heritage of our nation. Handloom sector
needs a revival which not only requires an allencompassing contribution from government but an equal
cooperation from weavers to strengthen this relationship in an attempt to consolidate the presence of
handloom products.
Major Recommendations
Organising Awareness Camps in 3 to 4 villages of each block of the district encompassing various
parameters regarding various schemes and programmes,credit support, training and upgradation. This
will reach a wider section of the population and spread awareness in the district.
