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6. Most of the weavers education qualification levels are low – 86% of the sample upto 10th Standard
(only 1% Graduate and above). This has resulted in lack of awareness of many govt. schemes.
7. Yarn price is very high in rural and remote areas as compared to the urban markets.
C. MARKETING ASPECT:
1. Marketing of finished handloom goods are usually handled by middlemen/local marketers.
2. Weavers, especially in the rural areas (around 43%) have difficulty in marketing their products
3. Almost half of theweavers (45%) feel that the price paidby themarketers to themis not commensurate
with the high cost of yarn which is increasing day-by-day with the price received for the Handloom
products.
4. 50% of them feel that there is challenge/threat of handloom products from that of products of
powerloom. Marketers also feel that more tax need to be imposed on the imported products of
powerloom.
5. Most of the marketers (80%) sell their handloom products in the traditional market places (offline).
They may explore online / Web site for marketing
6. Majority of the marketers (about 90%) have no linkage at national and international level. More
exposures through Trade Fairs may be facilitated.
7. All the marketers opined that the Handloom sector of Manipur has high scope for growth.
Major Recommendations:
1. Handloom plays a very important role for the livelihood to around 2.04 Lakh Handloom workers
(HandloomCensus of India, 2009-10). All stakeholders (Bankers, Dept. of Commerce and Industries,
DICs, National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC), etc. may co-ordinate and extend
support for the welfare of the weavers.
2. As most of the Handloom weavers in the state are not well educated (86% of the sampled passed
10th Standard with only 1% Graduate and above), more training programmes on production, design,
costing, etc. especially financial literacy awareness programme may be conducted for Weavers.
3. These gaps in financial inclusion and lack of awareness of the financial products may be reduced by
conducting more financial literacy and awareness camps by Banks.
4. Wider publicity and coverage is required in local newspapers and other electronic media including
local TV channels and Doordarshan etc., for awareness on all the products / schemes for the welfare of
the weavers. Promotion of Handloom products may be taken up by companies as a CSR exercise also.
5. The major activities such as yarn sourcing, manufacturing, credit support and marketing should
be properly organized through the implementation of suitable strategies. One of such strategies
is through collective work like SHG, JLG, Society or Producer Companies etc. to enable them to
collectively source, manufacture, avail credit and market their product. This will also reduce the
middle-men and handle marketing themselves which will optimize their profit.
6. MoreResearch&Development initiatives toexploreorganiccottonyarn,naturaldyesandother innovative
products applicable in the state may be explored, which will create more income for the weavers.
7. Promotion of Manipur Handloom products through internet, social media, print and electronic
media is a must to increase the popularity of Manipur Handloom products in the mind set of
customers
8. The Banks need to proactively provide financial services to this sector after reviewing the prospects
of handloom for the Weavers of Manipur.
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