In the picturesque districts of North Dhemaji and Lakhimpur in Assam, a transformative journey was about to begin. The Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), in partnership with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), initiated a project aimed at empowering women handloom weavers. This project was designed to improve the socio-economic conditions of these women artisans by providing technical support, enhancing their skills, and promoting sustainable practices. The goal was to create better income opportunities and foster community development.
The vital role of NHPC
The NHPC was instrumental in this transformative initiative. Their partnership with FMC was not merely supportive but pivotal in uplifting women handloom weavers. NHPC’s commitment involved providing essential technical support and comprehensive skills enhancement, which were crucial in equipping the artisans with the knowledge and tools needed for success. This partnership emphasized promoting sustainable practices, ensuring that the socio-economic conditions of these women artisans improved significantly. Through NHPC’s involvement, better income opportunities were created, and community development was fostered, making a lasting impact on the lives of these women and their families.
Target Group: Women Weavers of Assam
The primary beneficiaries of this project were the women handloom weavers in North Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts. The project aimed to directly benefit at least 500 women weavers, with an additional 1,000 women indirectly benefiting through enhanced community development. These women were the heart of the project, and their transformation was the ultimate measure of success.
Pre-Intervention Situation: A Culture of Weaving
Before the intervention, weaving was deeply embedded in the local culture, primarily for personal use rather than commercial purposes. Most women knew how to weave, but only a few engaged in minimal commercial activity, such as making “gamchas” (traditional towels) for local shops. Weavers primarily worked with cotton and eri threads using traditional bamboo looms, which were insufficient for producing sarees meeting market demands. There were only a few dye houses with limited color options and long waiting times.
Challenges: Overcoming Obstacles
A survey identified over 50,000 weaver families in the Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts, forming a substantial cluster. However, significant challenges hindered progress. Weavers struggled to replicate new designs introduced by designers based on market demand. The lack of advanced tools and consistent production capabilities posed major obstacles.
Our Approach: Building Capacity
Recognizing these challenges, FMC initially worked with existing resources before providing training and new looms. Weavers worked at their own pace, leading to inconsistent production times and colors due to limited dye houses offering only four colors and long waiting times. To address these issues, a capacity-building fund was created, similar to a surrogacy model. It took six months to establish a productive fund of around 30-40 lakhs, which continued for two years.
Establishment of SAAR Handloom Producer Company
In January 2020, SAAR Handloom Producer Company Limited was established, now with 300 shareholder members, including both tribal and non-tribal women. The company operates as a private limited entity with members contributing different amounts of equity, and governance facilitated by FMC, including an annually selected chairperson.
Impact of the NHPC and FMC Partnership
Through the concerted efforts of NHPC and FMC, a significant market order worth 60-65 lakh rupees was generated for women weavers in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts. This achievement marked a substantial step forward in empowering these artisans and enhancing their economic prospects.
Training and Skill Development
Weavers were trained to use various types of threads, including tussar and silk, and learned natural dyeing techniques, reducing dependency on external dyers. Despite generating substantial market orders, challenges remained as each weaver could produce no more than 5 meters of fabric per month, limiting capacity to fulfil market demands beyond 20-25 lakh rupees.
Future Plans: Scaling Up
To address production capacity issues, plans are in place to train and incorporate more women into the initiative, leveraging mass strength to meet larger market demands. Additionally, some beneficiaries are sharing designs provided by senior in-house designers with local vendors to take on additional orders.
Empowering Women, Transforming Communities
Overall, this initiative has empowered the women weavers of Assam, transforming their traditional skills into a more organized and economically viable enterprise, thereby paving the way for sustained growth and development. The stories of these women are a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and resilience.
SUCCESS STORIES
Reviving Traditional Weaving: Renu Devi's Journey of Resilience
In the serene village of North Dhemaji, Assam, Renu Devi’s life was once dominated by the relentless challenge of making ends meet. Her remarkable weaving talent remained largely unrecognized and underutilized, trapping her family in a cycle of poverty. Initially wary of adopting new techniques, Renu was hesitant.
However, with persistent training and steadfast support from the FMC project, she gradually mastered advanced weaving methods and began crafting contemporary designs that fetched higher market prices.
Today, Renu’s transformation stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation. Her income has surged by 150%, and she has employed two additional weavers, transforming her modest weaving operation into a flourishing enterprise.
The daily struggle for survival has evolved into a source of inspiration and prosperity, benefiting not only her family’s well-being but also contributing to the economic growth of her community. Renu’s journey from uncertainty to success serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with the right support, traditional skills can indeed weave dreams into reality.
Renu’s journey from uncertainty to success serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with the right support, traditional skills can indeed weave dreams into reality.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
In the heart of Assam, a group of resilient women weavers embarked on a remarkable journey of empowerment and entrepreneurship. Before receiving support from the FMC and NHPC partnership, their individual efforts were often fragmented and underpaid, leaving them struggling to support their families.
These women, driven by the dream of better marketing their handloom products, came together to form a cooperative.
With training in business management and quality control, they transformed their cooperative into a beacon of success. Their products now reach both domestic and international markets, and their collective income has skyrocketed by 200%.
These women have become pillars of strength and inspiration in their community, showcasing the undeniable power of collaboration and innovation.
Their cooperative transcends mere business; it exemplifies their tenacity and the profound impact of collective effort.
Sustainable Practices Leading to Market Expansion
The Dhemaji Handloom Cooperative Society’s journey is a testament to the power of sustainable practices. Initially bound by traditional methods, the cooperative faced numerous challenges, including environmental impacts and limited market reach.
The weavers struggled with the repercussions of using harmful dyes and inefficient practices, which not only affected their health but also restricted their market potential.
By adopting eco-friendly dyes and sustainable weaving practices, they turned a new leaf. This shift not only minimized their environmental footprint but also attracted a wave of eco-conscious buyers. Today, their products grace high-end boutiques across India, and their revenue has tripled in just three years.
This remarkable turnaround highlights the profound impact of integrating sustainability with traditional craftsmanship.
The cooperative’s success story is a powerful reminder of how embracing sustainable practices can lead to unprecedented growth and recognition.