poiranga handloom cluster kamrup - Designclinicsmsme.org

• The Traders
• The traders have been the mainstay of marketing of handloom products. They are
mainly Marwaris although now many Assamese businessmen have also entered the
eri market. The traders are presently and affluent class with other means of income
as well. Some of the big ones also own a large number or looms themselves. They
have good marketing contacts, a fairly good sense of design innovation and a selfbuilt
capital base. They have directed part of their capital into up gradation of looms
and design, and partly in sectors other than weaving. The traders however seem to
be oblivious to the hardships of the weavers and are largely concerned with their
own survival and growth. They also remain secretive about their trading activities.
Nevertheless, this group of core actors can prove to be instrumental in bringing
about capacity building of the Weavers provided their outlook is made more holistic.
For instance, they do not acknowledge the contribution of weaver’s family,
particularly the women weavers who not only weave but also perform reeling,
spinning and sometimes even rearing activities. This attitude needs to be changed.
Design Clinic 5 Band Workshop Report : Poiranga Handloom Cluster, Boko | 2011 | Dibakar Choudhury 24