In a bid to understand the technicalities and challenges faced by
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise engaged in Handicraft Industry or
Craft works, Amita Puri, Executive Director of All
India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) exclusively
to capture her views on the various opportunities for the segment and
AIACA's aim for the promotion of India's handicraft industry.
-What are the obstacles faced by artisans and small manufacturers to meet the high industry standards?
Amita Puri: Artisans have limited access to credit, infrastructure
facilities, or even information about market demands resulting in their
marginalization of the artisan and their reduced capacities to access
resources or meet specifications. Besides, insufficient investment for
the skill development is also a major challenge.
-How do handicraft fairs and exhibitions help micro and small entrepreneurs?
Amita Puri: Fairs and exhibitions provide a direct platform for sale of
goods (direct market channel), leading to a strengthening of livelihood
especially for small entrepreneurs who cannot invest in a space of
their own. They also provide a direct connect with consumers leading to a
better understanding of current trends and preferences; in addition to
providing an opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs in the same
field.
-What are the future goals of AIACA for the elevation of small craftworkers and artisans?
Amita Puri: AIACA seeks to touch lives of craft workers by:-
a) Policy advocacy for a favourable environment towards enterprise growth and enhancing livelihoods of craftworkers
b) Providing capacity building support to help producer groups and enterprises establish and run viable businesses that are able to compete in the mainstream economy.
b) Providing capacity building support to help producer groups and enterprises establish and run viable businesses that are able to compete in the mainstream economy.
c) Through the 'Craftmark Initiative' under which artisans are able to
differentiate their products as hand-made and therefore improve their
incomes.
-Finance is a major challenge to most Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises. What kind of approach should be taken up to moderate the
situation in this particular sector?
Amita Puri: It should be tailored to the needs of the enterprises and
be easily accessible. Also, sufficient linkages and awareness should be
created for the enterprises to avail of the same.
-Chinese goods are giving tough competition to Indian goods. Please share your inputs on this.
Amita Puri: The Chinese government has managed to provide an
environment and physical infrastructure conducive for the growth of the
industry, which is still absent in India to a large extent. In addition,
the mass production leads to economies of scale and lower prices
resulting in a virtual swamp of the market by Chinese goods. Therefore,
the government needs to do more in terms of regulatory provisions to
promote small scale enterprises and in terms of availability of
infrastructure. It also needs to create disincentives and enforce them
for dumping of goods by other countries.
-Do you think that developing handicrafts as an organized sector will add value to the current status?
Amita Puri: As a result of being organized, it will definitely affect
the sector’s ability to ask for, and influence environment favourable to
its growth. It will also enhance the sectors ability to access
resources. Moreover, with regulations pertaining to organized sector
applying here, it will support an enhancement in the artisan’s earnings.
-Despite the growth of handicrafts industry in India, the
average earnings of the craftsmen when compared to other fields is very
low. Hence the younger generation is moving onto other fields with only
the elder craftsmen left over. Comment
Amita Puri: It is true that the remuneration to craftspeople is low as
compared to other professions which toppled with other issues is leading
to migration from this sector. There is a strong need to use an
approach that knits together craft techniques, market forces, culture,
environment and the aspirations of the craft workers to create regular
work and increased income levels for the artisans. A sense of dignity
and pride in their skill will help not only to retain existing but also
grow the number of craftspeople associated with the sector.
-What are the policies and measures needed for the upliftment of Handicraft industry?
Amita Puri: A higher financial allocation in the budget for its
activities will help this sector. Ensuring regular supply of raw
material at reasonable rates, easy access to finance, technology and
information, capacity building to ensure skill development, strong
marketing support with separate branding for the sector, proper
implementation of government schemes, tax structures and regulatory
policies that facilitate growth would all lead to ensuring a healthier
industry.
