Government is taking steps to create a data portal for handicraft artisans. Data for handicraft artisans will be made available on the hand-made portal section of Department of Industries. All information regarding handicraft artisans with respect to their work area and product details will be made available on this portal. The portal is sure to increase the scope for products in the market and make the things popular and saleable.

Artisan cards will be issued by Indian government in this direction. 28000 artisan cards have already been issued. The remaining cards will be prepared in camps to be held by Central government at Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur. The entire process is being carried out in collaboration with District Industries centers on priority basis.

The card holders will benefit a lot because of these artisan cards in the sense that they will be given priority in various fairs and exhibitions in different parts of the state. The card holders will also get the privilege of different schemes and facilities provided by the Central and State governments.

September onwards different districts will hold industrial expos where these card holders will get the benefit of display of their art and skills. In a recent video conference with Commissioner of Industries, it was declared that data of these artisans will be made available on hand-made portal of Department of Industries.

Objective of this portal:

• To provide direct market access facility to genuine handloom weavers and handicraft artisans.
• To provide updated information about handloom and handicraft producers and their products to retail customers, e-commerce players, wholesalers and exporters.

Once registered on the portal, weaver/artisan can any time add, update or modify details of their products, process, photographs etc. Buyer can see the product offering statewise, product category wise or by simply through search on the product name. Buyer can view the products available and can also send a query to the concerned weaver/artisan.

Registered weaver/artisan will be able to view the queries and send reply e-mail to buyer.

Inputs from indiahandmadebazar.com

Image source: wordpress.com