On August 7, National Handloom Day is celebrated in India to honour the traditional craftsmanship of handloom weavers. This year, Gujarat’s handloom cooperatives have reported impressive sales figures, generating over ₹290 crores from their products. Under the state’s package scheme, these cooperatives have received incentives for their sales, showcasing a strong commitment to supporting local artisans.
The Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has implemented various initiatives to uplift the handloom sector and ensure the economic growth of weavers. The package scheme is specifically designed for registered industrial cooperatives, providing them with financial support based on their sales of handloom products.
In the fiscal year 2024-25, more than 246 handloom cooperatives have benefitted from this scheme, resulting in substantial sales figures. This growth reflects the ongoing development of the handloom sector in Gujarat. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced National Handloom Day in 2015 to promote the importance of handloom craftsmanship and its economic significance.
As part of the package scheme, handloom cooperatives receive a 5% rebate on their sales, while women-led cooperatives enjoy a higher incentive of 15%. Additionally, there are extra benefits for women cooperatives for a limited period during the year, further supporting their economic empowerment.
The Gujarat government has also introduced transformative plans to ensure quality production and improve market competitiveness. These include financial assistance for advertising and promotions for top handloom organisations, encouraging them to participate in exhibitions both within and outside the state. Assistance of up to ₹70,000 is provided for local exhibitions and ₹1,50,000 for out-of-state exhibitions.
Furthermore, the scheme ensures that weavers produce high-quality products by offering a 15% subsidy on yarn purchased through registered depots. Training programmes are also in place to enhance the skills of weavers, along with stipends to support their development.
Marketing efforts are being intensified to increase the visibility of handloom products, which include hoardings, kiosks, and fashion shows. The ‘Garvi-Gurjari’ brand is being promoted through e-commerce platforms, making these traditional products accessible to a wider audience.
In summary, the initiatives by the Gujarat government not only celebrate the artistry of handloom weaving but also demonstrate a strong commitment to uplift the community of weavers. The sales figures achieved this year are a testament to the hard work and dedication of these artisans, and the ongoing support from the government aims to further enhance their livelihoods and preserve this rich cultural heritage.