Introduction

Assam, handloom weaving is inexorably linked with Assamese culture and heritage. Handloom sector of Assam provide significant employment and craftsmanship to the skilled weavers engaged in the aged old traditional cottage industry. The sector is the second largest employer next to agriculture. The Government of Assam has established Assistant Director office at Lakhimpur district under Directorate of Handloom & Textiles to provide developmental, promotional interventions with active support of the Govt. for qualitative and quantitative improvement of this sector. The geographical proximity of Assam to the countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand and Cambodia provides logistical advantages to manufacturing units and entrepreneurs serving the markets of these countries. The Golden Thread Muga Silk and versatile Eri silk having worldwide demand is widely produced at Lakhimpur District is also an advantage of this sector. The state has a strong base in the sector and can become one of the best sectors for investment in production of handloom fabrics and made-ups for national and international markets.

Our History

Prior to 1983 there was no independent Department for Handloom & Textiles. The Handloom & Powerloom Industry was looked after by the Department of Sericulture & Weaving, Industries, Cooperation etc. With a view to give undivided attention to the Development of Handloom & Textile industries at the Govt. level, a full fledged Directorate of Handloom & Textiles was created in July, 1983 as per report of the Siva Raman Committee. Assistant Director office at Lakhimpur District was established under the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles in the year of 1983 located at North Lakhimpur Town.

Our Mandate

Key Objectives

• Promotion and development: Promoting and developing the handloom and textile industry, including traditional crafts and artisans.
• Support for artisans: Providing support and assistance to handloom weavers, artisans, and small-scale textile producers.
• Implementation of schemes: Implementing government schemes and programs aimed at promoting handlooms, textiles, and traditional crafts.

Functions

• Registration and certification: Registering handloom weavers and textile producers, and providing certification for traditional crafts and products.
• Training and capacity building: Providing training and capacity-building programs for artisans, weavers, and small-scale textile producers.
• Market support: Providing market support and facilitating market access for handloom and textile products.

Goals

• Empowering artisans: Empowering artisans, weavers, and small-scale textile producers through sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• Preserving traditional Craft: Preserving and promoting traditional handloom and textile crafts, and cultural heritage.
• Promoting  sustainable  development: Promoting       sustainable     development            and environmentally friendly practices in the handloom and textile sector.

Key Programme and Schemes

Central Govt. Schemes:

National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): The Govt. of India has launched a new concept of setting up of Block Level Cluster for development of Handloom sector under the umbrella scheme of National Handloom Development Scheme (NHDP) by amalgamating the comprehensive schemes like Integrated Handloom Development Scheme (IHDS), Comprehensive Handloom Development Scheme (CHDS), Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) and Technology Upgradation.

The basic concept of the scheme is to set up a Common Facility Center at the Block Level along with a Common Service Center to serve weavers of the Block with all facilities of pre loom and post loom activities. Computerised Designing and card automatic punching is another component included so that the weavers could be assisted with required designs in electronic format as well as in the jacquard cards weave out the same in fabrics. Skill upgradation facility of weavers has been included in all the disciplines of weaving, dyeing and designing part from the managerial and IT skills. The scheme also provides the facility of modern Fly Shuttle Frame Looms with latest developed design development equipments as well as quality maintenance equipments.

A Block Level Cluster is budgeted for involvement of Rs.200.00 lakhs. The project to be implemented during the 12th Plan period. The Govt of India will provide the fund in two installments.

Samarth Scheme: The Ministry of Textiles has implemented the Samarth Scheme, an initiative to build capacity in India's textile sector. Launched in 2017, the scheme is known as the Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector (SCBTS). The primary objective of the Samarth scheme is to ensure a continuous supply of skilled workforce in the labor-intensive textile sector of India. The scheme's target is to develop the skills of 10 lakh youth in the organized sector of the entire textile value chain, excluding spinning and weaving. With a budget outlay of 13000 crores, the Samarth scheme incorporates advanced features such as Training of Trainers (ToT), Aadhar-enabled biometric attendance, CCTV recording of training programs, dedicated call centers with helpline numbers, online monitoring of the training process, and a management information system (MIS) based on a mobile app.

Weavers MUDRA: Loans are provided at 6% subsidised rate of interest along with Rs. 10,000 as margin money to the handloom weavers without any collateral by the Commercial Banks.

Externally Aided Scheme:

Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART): APART would lay special focus on value addition in the production and post-harvest segments of selected agricultural commodity value-chains ; facilitate agribusiness investments through inclusive business models, that provide opportunities to small farmers as well as stimulate the establishment of new small & medium agribusiness enterprises; and support resilience of agriculture production systems in order to better-manage the increasing production and risks associated with climate change, in the targeted districts .

The project would adopt a cluster strategy, to generate economies of scale; promote vertical and horizontal links between local agricultural enterprises; enable diffusion of innovations; leverage network externalities; and channel public support for services and infrastructure. By adopting a cluster approach, project would enable all the value chain participants to develop competitive and innovative products that meet current market demands. There are two FPC formed in Lakhimpur District.

a. Den Multipurpose Farmer Producer Co. Ltd

b. Charikoria Muga Farmer Producer Co. Ltd