AP govt to strike an agreement with online retailers for handloom marketing

The Union Government which is keen to promote cotton fibre and handloom products is lent a helping hand by the online retailers viz. Flipkart,Amazon,Snapdeal.

The Andhra Pradesh Government is holding discussions with these plugged-in retailers to sell handloom products on their website.

This will help in introducing an online platform to the workmanship of the handloom weavers as well as recognition to the ancient tradition, which is one of the prime reasons of the Union Government backing these weavers.

Weavers can promote products like Venkatagiri, Mangalagiri, Pedana, Dharmavaram, Uppada and Bandar cotton sarees and dress materials online. Men’s wear includes readymade cotton shirts, lungis, and dhotis.

This apart, house furnishing products such as bedsheets, towels, and pillow covers have also good demand in the country and abroad, he said.

The Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd., (APCO) will enter into an agreement with the online retailers. Handlooms Minister Kollu Ravindra said that the initiative was an endeavour to empower weavers and give a boost to the sector as well.

He commented that the retailers are seeking margin on sales, which may not be beneficial to them. There is a great demand for handloom products with natural dyes in European countries. The online majors are also aware of these facts. But they will keep the talk going and make online sales a reality soon.