Handloom industry represents the rich cultural and traditional heritage unique to India. India is a major handloom producer in the world, accounting for 85% of the total production globally53. India produces a variety of products using all kinds of fibres and yarns of varying counts to produce the widest range of products. Handloom contributes 14.6% to the total cloth production in the country (excluding wool, silk and yarn). In 2010-11, handloom production stood at 6.9 billion square meters.
Further, the industry has the largest infrastructure with 23.8 lakh weaving looms54.
Main clusters: There are 470 handloom clusters, of which 230 clusters have more than 1,000 weaving looms. Out of these 230 clusters, 41 clusters have over 25,000 weaving looms55. Major clusters in India are Bahraich, Bhuj, Karimnagar, Patan, Varanasi, Nawan, Shaher, Boudh, etc.
Artisans involved: Handloom industry is second largest employment generator in India, next only to agriculture. It provides employment to the low income sections of the society, with 86 % handloom weavers/workers living in rural and semi- urban areas. As per the Handloom Census of 2009-10, there are 23.8 lakh handlooms, employing 43.3 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers1.
Raw material used: Raw materials cost constitutes a major portion (40-60%) of the total production cost of handloom products. Yarn is the main raw material used in handloom production. Handloom industry consumes a diverse range of yarns from natural viz. cotton, wool, silk, jute to artificial viz. synthetic,
Cellulose and multiple blends of such yarns. Other materials used are chemicals, dyes, etc.
