Handloom Intervention – A Women-Led Initiative

Enhancing income opportunities of women weavers through new market linkage and capacity building Project implemented by NHPC Ltd. In consultation with IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand) through network partner Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) is implementing a Project to enhance income and create suitable infrastructure for women handloom weavers of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji Districts of Assam. To achieve the same, the Project has introduced new designs/products, identified new market linkage, capacitated weavers in new designs, yarns, natural dye and providing continuous handholding in production. 20 producer groups consisting of 200 weavers have been formed. In addition, to create value added hand-embroidery and handloom-based apparel and home-furnishing products product, 1 hand-embroidery producer groups consisting of 10 artisans and 1 stitching/cutting producer group consisting of 10 artisans have also been formed. These 220 artisans are capacitated to provide end to end production services in handloom and cater to different buyers. Project has also established a Producer Company of women weavers, ‘SAAR Handloom’ which is owned and managed by the women weavers. In next one year, Producer Company will establish a Common Facility Centre (CFC) which will include facilities like different types of high width looms with jacquards, boilers to dye high volume yarn in required colours, raw material depot and post weaving stitching facilities to make finished products. Each of the weavers once they become member of a Producer Company will also be supported with a Frame Loom on 20% equity basis based on the recommendation of the company. Besides these, weavers have been capacitated in business promotion related skills like leadership, marketing, finance, company management etc.