Empowering Indian Artisans For An Inclusive & Sustainable Economic Growth

India has a rich and diverse tradition of artisanal crafts, with millions of skilled crafts persons spread across the country. They create an array of exquisite handcrafted products, ranging from textiles and jewellery to pottery and woodwork, cherished for centuries, both within India and abroad. Despite their immense talent and contribution to the cultural and economic fabric of the country, Indian artisans face numerous challenges, including low wages, lack of access to markets, and competition from mass-produced goods. These challenges have led to a decline in the number of artisans in many parts of the country, threatening the survival of traditional crafts and livelihoods. 

Globalisation had a significant impact on Indian artisans, both positive and negative. The positive effects of globalization on Indian artisans include increased demand for handicrafts and traditional Indian products in global markets which led to an increase in the income of artisans. Globalization also facilitated the exchange of ideas and techniques, which led to innovation and the development of new products and designs. But the negative effects of globalization such as the entry of low-cost, mass-produced goods from other countries have resulted in increased competition, making it difficult for artisans to compete and sell their products at fair prices. 

The artisan sector in India is an important part of the country's economy: 

Rich Cultural Heritage: Each region of India has its own unique handicrafts, such as handloom weaving, pottery, wood carving, metalwork, and embroidery which have been passed down through generations. 

Economic Contribution: It is estimated that there are around 7 million artisans in India. During the year 2021-22, the total exports of Indian handicrafts were valued at US$ 4.35 billion, a 25.7 per cent increase from the previous year. India is one of the largest handicraft-exporting countries and a clear leader in the homemade carpet segment both in terms of volume and value. ((Indian Handicrafts, Best Handicraft Products Manufacturers in India - IBEF. (n.d.). India Brand Equity Foundation. 

Employment Generation: The artisans/handicrafts sector is a significant source of employment in India, particularly for women and marginalized communities, as this is a labour-intensive sector. Apart from the generation of employment, the sector exports a range of products which generate foreign exchange for the country.

Government organisations and NGOs have made progress in addressing the problems faced by artisans in India, but the success has been mixed. They have played a crucial role in promoting the rights and welfare of artisans, especially those in rural areas. Many NGOs have established programs to provide training and education to artisans, to help them improve their skills and compete in the marketplace. Government organizations have launched several initiatives aimed at supporting the artisan sector in India. 

Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reiterated that upskilling of the workforce, focus on traditional hand-made crafts and development of artisans at the grassroots level in the village will play an essential role in the country’s growth. The PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana (PM VIKAS) was announced in February 2023 with the aim to improve the quality, scale and reach of the products of traditional, integrating them with the MSME value chain to enhance their value.

The buzzword today is “creator’s economy”. In contrast, the artisans spending hours in their livelihood lose out on their fair share due to their technological handicaps and limited knowledge of marketing and related modern-economy enablers. However, there are several issues faced by the artisans in India, such as:

1. Unfriendly laws: Some of the archaic laws and regulations make it difficult for them to commercially structure their businesses. 
2. Policy level prioritisation: Not a big participant in the formal economy, artisans do not receive the same level of support as other industries. 
3. Ineffective implementation of current laws: Many times the artisans are not aware of the new regulations and do not sign up for its benefits. This can lead to the exploitation of artisans by middlemen, as well as unfair competition from larger companies. 
4. Production challenges: Artisans often face difficulties in accessing raw materials, equipment, and modern production techniques. Moreover, many artisans work from their homes or small workshops, which may not be equipped with modern tools or infrastructure. 
5. Marketing challenges: Artisans do not have easy access to modern marketing channels and lack the resources to effectively promote their products. Most of the handicrafts are sold through intermediaries which reduces their profit margins.
6. Logistics challenges: Artisans have limited knowledge of modern supply chain management, which makes it difficult to coordinate production and delivery.

To address these challenges, government organizations have implemented multiple initiatives. These are still in their early stages and require tremendous investment and support to achieve their full potential. The following recommendations would boost India's arts and crafts community’s economic contribution, raising its global competitiveness and enhancing livelihoods: 

1. Global marketing: Promote Indian arts and crafts by showcasing them at prominent international trade fairs, exhibitions, and online platforms. 
2. Encourage innovation: Provide a continuous training program to artisans propelling experimentation with new designs, techniques, and materials. This will help them combine traditional knowledge with contemporary trends and create a wider consumer base.
3. Develop infrastructure: Create production centres, design studios, and training centres, to provide artisans with better access to resources, tools, and training. 
4. Support fair trade practices and ethical sourcing of materials: The government should impose a minimum price on goods of artisans which will act as a safeguard when market prices drop. 
5. Provide marketing and branding support: Considerable investment is required to build the artist’s identity and brand value. 
6. Foster partnerships: Foster partnerships between the arts and crafts community, government, NGOs, and the private sector to create sustainable value chains. 
7. Providing easy and low-cost access to finance: The government can consider providing special low-interest loans, microfinance schemes, and credit guarantees to help them access capital.
8. Protecting traditional knowledge: The government can create policies to protect and preserve traditional knowledge and IPs and encourage its transmission to future generations. 

A fresh impetus is required, with urgency, to solve the systemic problems that are impeding its expansion and development. A thriving and sustainable artisanal sector is essential for both the survival of India's rich cultural legacy and to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of self-employed craftspeople.

Rhea Bakshi, Student, Class 12, The Shri Ram School, Delhi

Rhea Bakshi

Guest Author Student, Class 12, The Shri Ram School, Delhi