Saurabh Gupta | 05 May, 2008
Despite the fact that the Indian handicraft industry is doing well (at least on paper), craftsmen on the other hand, who are the facilitators of this sector, are slowly moving out of the sector in search for more profitable and viable options.

In the absence of the basic amenities including health coverage, skill development schemes and even shelter, craftsmen instead of passing on the art to the next generation are actually discouraging them to take up their forefathers' trade. These artisans are from the lowest income strata of rural India.

Handicraft is a labour intensive industry with high potential of employment for poorer section of the society in rural areas. It is economically important because the low capital investment, high value addition, negotiable import content and high potential for export earnings.

India is one of the important supplier of handicrafts to the world market. Although export of handicrafts appear to be sizable, India's share in world imports is very small. Despite the existence of production base and a large number of craftsmen, India has not been able to encash existing opportunities.

Handicraft is a sector that is still explored from the point of view of hidden potential areas. Going back into the reason for small share of Indian handicrafts in the world market, the main parameter which comes out is 'Search & Exploration of Hidden Crafts of India' the field which has not been ever touched by Indian handicraft industry.

"There are lots of issues in terms of getting basic amenities of health and education. All stone- carving craftsmen are suffering from lungs ailments and we need health coverage," says Rohit, a Agra-based craftsman who sells exquisite marble-carvings in Dilli Haat.

"Yes, there are government policies for us, but the implementation of these policies at the grass-root level is where the problem lies. The benefits of these schemes never reach us."

"Although the Union Ministry of Textiles has launched a comprehensive health insurance scheme 'Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana' for handicraft artisans across the country last year, surprisingly we are not getting the benefits of that policy."

"There are no facilities of regular health checkups and we can't afford to do it on our own. Seeing our plight our children do not want to learn this art as they say it is not profitable at all," he adds sadly.

On the issue of availability of finance from banks and other financial institutions, Shambhu Kumar, a maker of Madhubani paintings from Bihar said, "We have a very limited resources in terms of cash. Due to lack of money we can't procure raw materials too. There are times we have to sit idle because we don't have raw material to start our work. The people from whom we buy these raw materials don't give credit."

"Although I have tried out several banks, both private and government, none of them came forward to help me. After running from pillar to post I got a loan from Grameen Vikas Bank."

On asked by this correspondent why he continues to carry on with this profession, he said, "What else can we do? We are best at doing this and despite these shortcomings we have to do something to make both ends meet," he adds.

When asked about profit margins, Muthulingam, who makes items from terracotta clay said, "It is not that there is no demand for this art...there is. But since the artisans are poor they are compelled to sell their products very cheap to the local agents. Authorities need to facilitate us in finding our customers directly....something like this Dilli Haat concept."

"However this is not enough. There are millions of artisans and a couple of these haats will not solve the problem. There should be some direct marketing technique, where the artisans can sell their products at a reasonable price under the same roof."

"Here I came to know that one can sell handicraft items by using the internet. But I have no idea how it works. Authorities need to help us in this. Skill development is very important to remain profitable," he adds.

Indian handicrafts, typically considered a cottage industry has shown an increase of Rs. 2761.29 crore from Rs. 14526.85 to Rs. 17,288.14 crore, an increase of 19.01% in rupees term.

In dollar terms, the exports shown the increase of $ 528.70 millions from $ 3283.56 millions to $ 3811.26, an increased of 16.11% over the similar period in 2005-2006 touching $ 3.81 billion.

In the changing world scenario, craft products exported to various countries from a part of life style products in international market. The impact is due to the changing consumer taste and trends. In the view of this it is high time for Indian handicraft industry to go into the details of changing designs, patterns, product development, requisite change in production facilities for a variety of materials, production techniques, related expertise to achieve a leadership position in the fast growing competitiveness with other countries.

The 6 million craft persons who are the backbone of Indian industry as provided with inherent skill, technique, traditional craftsmanship, but that is quite sufficient for primary platform. However, in changing world market these craft persons need an international support, at their place i.e. craft pockets for value addition and for the edge with other competitors like China, Korea, Thailand etc.