Chendamangalam Weavers Hit Hard by Spiralling Yarn Prices Ahead of Onam Season
Kochi: The handloom industry in Chendamangalam, renowned for its exquisite handloom products, is facing significant challenges due to rising yarn prices and supply chain issues as weavers eagerly anticipate the Onam season for improved sales.
The cost of yarn, primarily sourced from Tamil Nadu, has been on a continuous rise since the COVID-19 pandemic, further exacerbated by the August 2018 floods. "The price has more than doubled in recent months," said T.S. Baby from the Paravur Handloom Cooperative Society No. 3428. He expressed concerns about the sustainability of handloom weaving in Chendamangalam, particularly as younger generations are not entering the profession due to low remuneration and the availability of more lucrative career options.
Despite the challenges, the Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board has set an ambitious sales target of ₹150 crore for the financial year, with Onam season representing a substantial portion of annual sales. The Board has organized special exhibitions at district headquarters and announced a 30% rebate during the Onam period to boost sales.
There are currently 280 weavers and spinners registered under 28 units of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission in Ernakulam. Khadi production is a labor-intensive manual process wherein cotton rovings are spun into yarn and woven into cloth.
As the state prepares to celebrate Handloom Day, the future of Chendamangalam’s illustrious weaving tradition faces uncertainty, highlighting a need for interventions to support this heritage industry amidst evolving economic realities. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the festive season can provide the much-needed uplift for the local handloom community.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/spiralling-price-of-yarn-hits-handloom-sector-ahead-of-peak-onam-season/article68492289.ece
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