Handicraft sector fighting odds for survival

Despite the fact that the Indian handicraft industry is doing well (at least on paper), craftsmen on the other hand, who are the facilitators of this sector, are slowly moving out of the sector in search for more profitable and viable options.

India is one of the important supplier of handicrafts to the world market. Although export of handicrafts appear to be sizable, India's share in world imports is very small. Despite the existence of production base and a large number of craftsmen, India has not been able to encash existing opportunities.

On the issue of availability of finance from banks and other financial institutions, Shambhu Kumar, a maker of Madhubani paintings from Bihar said, "We have a very limited resources in terms of cash. Due to lack of money we can't procure raw materials too. There are times we have to sit idle because we don't have raw material to start our work. The people from whom we buy these raw materials don't give credit."

When asked about profit margins, Muthulingam, who makes items from terracotta clay said, "It is not that there is no demand for this art...there is. But since the artisans are poor they are compelled to sell their products very cheap to the local agents. Authorities need to facilitate us in finding our customers directly....something like this Dilli Haat concept."

"However this is not enough. There are millions of artisans and a couple of these haats will not solve the problem. There should be some direct marketing technique, where the artisans can sell their products at a reasonable price under the same roof."

"Here I came to know that one can sell handicraft items by using the internet. But I have no idea how it works. Authorities need to help us in this. Skill development is very important to remain profitable," he adds.

Indian handicrafts, typically considered a cottage industry has shown an increase of Rs. 2761.29 crore from Rs. 14526.85 to Rs. 17,288.14 crore, an increase of 19.01% in rupees term.

In the changing world scenario, craft products exported to various countries from a part of life style products in international market. The impact is due to the changing consumer taste and trends. In the view of this it is high time for Indian handicraft industry to go into the details of changing designs, patterns, product development, requisite change in production facilities for a variety of materials, production techniques, related expertise to achieve a leadership position in the fast growing competitiveness with other countries.

The 6 million craft persons who are the backbone of Indian industry as provided with inherent skill, technique, traditional craftsmanship, but that is quite sufficient for primary platform. However, in changing world market these craft persons need an international support, at their place i.e. craft pockets for value addition and for the edge with other competitors like China, Korea, Thailand etc.

Disclaimer: Original article is written by Mr. Saurabh Gupta