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From
time immemorial handloom industry has been playing a vital
role in the state economy. The traditional skill of handloom
weaving was not only a status symbol for the women-folk but it
was also an indispensable aspect of the socio-economic life.
Handloom weaving is by far the largest and the most important
cottage industry in the state. The products so produced are
most-superb quality. Moreover, the costliest fabrics can only
be produced by the dexterity of the human hands and no
sophisticated machinery whatsoever can ever compete with the
colors and designs which give a lasting, fascinating effect.
Manipur
has 3.40 lakh weavers and 2.77 looms producing 8.64 million
meters of handloom fabrics and consuming 1 million Kg. of yarn
per month as per the National Handloom Census, 1996-97. Of
this, about 30% of the total weavers are under Co-operative
fold and 70% are outside the Cooperative fold.
Handloom
Population and production:
As
per the National Handloom & Powerloom Census conducted
during the year 1996-97, population of looms & weavers in
Manipur are given hereunder:-
|
Sl.
No.
|
District
Name |
No.
of weaver |
No.
of loom
|
Consumption
of yarn per month |
Production
of cloth per month |
|
(
in Kg.) |
(in
Metre) |
| 1. |
Imphal |
91820 |
68273 |
5,
01,936
|
44,
26,402 |
| 2. |
Thoubal |
37835 |
26586 |
1,
60,334
|
19,
33,600 |
| 3. |
Bishnupur |
53069
|
31420 |
1,
86,294 |
13,
25,974 |
| 4. |
Churachandpur |
39294 |
43847 |
56,502 |
3,
61,953 |
| 5. |
Ukhrul |
24233 |
22629 |
23,567 |
1,
98,933 |
| 6. |
Tamenglong |
35577 |
36918 |
1,
02,953 |
2,
29,434 |
| 7. |
Senapati |
44250 |
35443 |
12,763 |
92,901 |
| 8. |
Chandel |
13554 |
11639 |
26,204 |
71,615 |
| |
Total |
339632 |
276755 |
10,
70,553 |
86,
40,812 |
In
respect of Imphal, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, the main
handloom products are Cotton,
Polyester cloths like Sarees, Made up bed sheet, curtain,
towel(Bath towels, hand towels, face towels, etc), Table
cloths, Fashion
garments with intricated designs, cushion covers, pillow
covers, Upholstery, Draperies, Scarves, Terry towels, dessing
gown, lashingphee(cotton tweed cloth) etc. and the remaining
five hill districts from Sl.No. 4 to 8 are mainly produced
Acrylic/wool cloth like Tribal Shawl, ladies lungies, Wall
hanging & coverings, Upholstery, hanging bags, curtain,
home furnishing etc.
Projected
target of production on full utilisation of existing manpower
& equipment:
|
Sl.
No.
|
District
Name |
No.
of weaver |
No.
of loom
|
Consumption
of yarn per month |
Production
of cloth per month |
|
(
in Kg.) |
(in
Metre) |
| 1. |
Imphal |
91820 |
68273 |
8,
36,560 |
73,
77,337 |
| 2. |
Thoubal |
37835 |
26586 |
2,
67,224 |
32,
22,667 |
| 3. |
Bishnupur |
53069
|
31420 |
3,
10,491 |
22,
09,957 |
| 4. |
Churachandpur |
39294 |
43847 |
1,
88,340 |
12,
06,512 |
| 5. |
Ukhrul |
24233 |
22629 |
78,557 |
6,
63,112 |
| 6. |
Tamenglong |
35577 |
36918 |
3,
43,179 |
7,
64,781 |
| 7. |
Senapati |
44250 |
35443 |
42,546 |
3,
09,670 |
| 8. |
Chandel |
13554 |
11639 |
87,349 |
2,
38,717 |
| |
Total |
339632 |
276755 |
21,
54,246 |
159,
92,753 |
It
is seen from the above two tables, that
the first table shows the normal production of
consumption of yarn in absence of proper designing techniques
and marketing outlet and the second table shows the projected
target as and when the new designing techniques is introduced
and marketing is
assured with the same population of manpower and looms.
Reason
of low production:
Around
40% of weavers are not working fully during the whole year of
12 months in respect of valley district, where conventional
Fly Shuttle Looms and weavers are concentrated and 70% of the
weavers in case of hill district due to:-
(a) Fear psychosis, presuming that
bulk production would not find market.
(b) Lack of modern and improved
techniques of designing.
(c ) Lack of awareness of the modern fast
changing market scenario.
Existing
Market Mechanism:
(a) Marketing under the Co-operative
Organisations.
(b) Marketing under Govt. undertaking/owned
Corporation/deptt.
(c ) Marketing by independent weavers.
(d) Marketing under Master Weavers.
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