Introduction


Majority of the Handlooms in theCluster are working under the patronage of the KHDC. The Handloom weavers whowork for KHDC produce furnishing, Terry towels, Bed sheets, Suiting, Shirting, floorcoverings, tablemats ,Cut shuttle durries, etc. The remaining weavers in theCluster limit themselves in producing silk, silk mix and cotton traditionalsaris, almost all the weavers in the cluster are depending on job work. Theweavers working under KHDC get raw materials from KHDC and they surrender theirwoven fabrics to the KHDC, The weavers who get the raw materials fromcooperative societies produces for respective cooperative societies, theweavers under the master weavers to their master weavers, the weavers of khadiboard to their respective khadi board. These weavers are paid the conversioncharges on piece rate basis. Only the tiny weavers do their business on theirown.


The KHDC and Khadi Board market their products through the chain of its sales outlets,and directly to different government institutions. The cooperatives and thesmall manufacturer weavers supply their goods to local retailers andwholesalers. The tiny weavers are selling their products in the local marketdirectly to the consumer or to the local trader.


It has been observed in the value chain analysis that the local traders enjoygreater margin than the others. But proper intervention for cost reduction ininputs through bulk purchase helps to improve pre-processing methods. Upgradingthe designs for value addition of the product, introduction of direct sellingmechanism instead of the trader will help increase in the earning of theweavers and the margins of the entrepreneurs.

The linkages of the core actors with most of the public service providers are very weak. With the exception of the weaver service centre and the Handloom andtextiles Department linkages with other service providers have to bestrengthened.


Since all the support institutions are existing in the cluster there is largescope for intervention in all the major areas such as design development, valueaddition to product, up gradation of technique, product diversification,establishment of CFC, Common marketing facility, Brand Equity etc.


Gadag Handloom Cluster


Gagad Handloom clusteris a famous cotton trading centre for Jayadhar variety of cotton. It hasoccupied 70kms surrounding area of Gadag.


History of the Gadag Cluster shows the rise and fall of its products. Even the products manufactured have been changed from ordinary cotton saris tomercerized cotton saris and high quality of silk saris. Today more than 50% ofthe production is only of the cotton saris. Though the profit margin is meagerin cotton saris but enjoys better demand compared to silk saris. These "Gaadidhadi" traditional saris are largely worn by women of north Karnataka andsome parts of Maharashtra. These people prefer these saris for almost all theircultural and traditional functions because of its combination of harmoniouscolors, quality and richness.


While interacting with &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(2172)%>" target="_blank">fibre2fashion Mr.Ramachandrappa N.T of Gadag Handloom Cluster shares his ideaon aim of handloom cluster "Upliftment of handloom activities, creatingthe brand image of cluster products at National Level, increasing the earningsof handloom weavers, marketing linkage to the handloom weaversand creating the infrastructure facilities i.e., Common Facility Centre, DyeHouse etc." In Gadag cluster approximately 3900 workers are working andInfrastructure facilities available here for them are Common facility centre,Dye house with Cabinet Dyeing Machines of about 2500 Frame looms, 100 Jacquardlooms, 20Nos of Reed space looms of up to 90, Testing lab and Common weavingcentre. These 3900 workers are manufacturing approximately 1000 Bed sheets, 500meter Furnishing, 50000 meter Dress material, 1000Nos Traditional Sarees, 500Carpets, 300 Terry Towels per month.


As per him, "Government supports handloomclusters by proving subsidies like for Gadag cluster Government of Karnatakahas introduced Vidya Vikasa Scheme. Under this scheme government supplyinguniform cloth to Education department and to subsidized saree dhoti as clusterhaving about 1200 looms working. In addition government has introduced WeaversHealth Package Scheme, Housing Scheme and Insurance."

 


Benefits of Handloom Cluster


Mr.Ramachandrappa N.T adds, "Handloom clusters are helping weavers by providing technical guidance for product diversification as per market trend, sourcing goodquality raw materials and loom accessories. Clusters also provide facilities like dyeing, testing lab and common facility centre and new product development and employment generation. Moreover after implementing the cluster duringthe last 3 years, the quality of the products improved, diversified the varietiesas per market trend by introducing reactive colours, created brand image onnational level and increased the wage earnings of handloom weavers to theextent of 10% - 15% for about 500 weavers."