Indian handicrafts play a significant role in the country's economy and are an essential source of livelihood for millions of people. According to the Ministry of Textiles, the handicrafts sector in India employs over 7 million artisans, weavers, and craftsmen, most of whom are from rural areas.
Employment Opportunities
One of the main advantages of the handicrafts sector is that it offers employment opportunities to people with low education levels and limited financial resources, particularly women and people from marginalized communities. The sector also provides an essential source of income for rural households, which may not have access to other sources of income.
Contribution To The Country Economy
Handicraft manufacturers in India contribute a lot to the country's export earnings. India is known for its rich and diverse handicraft traditions that are exported to countries across the globe. In 2019-20, India's handicraft exports were worth Rs. 25,660 crores (approximately $3.5 billion).
Apart from providing employment and earning foreign exchange, the handicrafts sector also promotes traditional art and culture and helps to preserve the country's rich heritage. It is a source of pride for the country, and there is a growing interest in Indian handicrafts among domestic and international consumers.
Challenges For The Handicrafts Industry
However, the handicrafts sector in India also faces several challenges, including a lack of infrastructure, inadequate marketing and promotion, and competition from cheaper imported goods. The government has taken several initiatives to address these issues, including setting up common facility centers, providing training and support to artisans, and promoting handicraft products in India through fairs and exhibitions.
- Lack of basic infrastructure makes it difficult for artisans to work efficiently and hampers the transportation and distribution of their products. Since many artisans and craftsmen in India work in rural areas, they need access to basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply.
- Competition from cheap imported goods that are mass-produced and sold at much lower prices, making it difficult for Indian artisans to compete.
- Need for better marketing and promotion in the international market. This results in limited demand for Indian crafts, which can affect the incomes of the artisans.
- Need for innovation and design to evolve with changing consumer tastes and preferences and make handicrafts goods more appealing to a wider audience.
- Inadequate access to credit and capital limits the ability of artisans to invest in their businesses and expand their operations. It is a significant challenge in a sector where working capital requirements are high.
To address these challenges, the Indian government set up Handicrafts Export Promotion Council (HEPC). It is a non-profit organization established in 1986 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India promote and develop the export of handicrafts from India.
Also, go through How Are Indian Handicrafts Helping The Economy?
Role Of HEPC
The main objective of the HEPC is to promote and develop the export of handicrafts from India by providing various services to exporters, such as market intelligence, product development, design and packaging support, and information on export regulations and procedures. The council also organizes participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, and other promotional activities to showcase handicrafts to the global market.
HEPC works closely with various stakeholders in the handicraft industry, including artisans, exporters, government agencies, and industry associations, to promote the sector development. The council plays a crucial role in promoting the best handicrafts in India in the global market and has contributed significantly to the industry growth over the years.
