Livelihood Opportunities of Sambalpuri Handloom Weavers in Western Odisha: An Analysis

Abstract

RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

Handloom weaving is one of the largest economic activities after agriculture, providing direct and indirect employment to more than 35,00,000 weavers and allied workers in India (Development Commissioner for Handloom, 2019). India provides a large percentage of the handloom product of the world. This sector contributes to the export earnings of India and 15% of the total cloth production of the country. Handloom industry has a unique place in our economy. The beauty of this profession is that, without any professional training, weaving skills are transferred to the next generation. Handloom is a traditional cottage industry of Odisha. In Odisha, 0.117 million handloom workers earn their livelihood from this industry. There are 63,223 weaver households in the state out of which 53,472 are weavers and 64,364 are allied workers as per the Fourth Handloom Census, 2019 conducted by Government of India. In order to analyse the employment and earnings of handloom weavers it is important to know the contextual factors that influence their choices. (Chambers, 1989).

However, this definition does not describe how adequate stocks and flows of cash come about. Chambers and Conway (1992) describe livelihood as the capabilities, assets and activities required for a means of living. Scoones (1998), Ellis (2000) and Niehof and Price (2001) following the work of Chambers propounded similar definitions of livelihood. However, these definitions associated the sustainability concept. A livelihood is sustainable when it enables people to cope with and recover from shocks and stresses. It also enhances its capabilities and assets both now and in future without undermining the natural resource base (Ashley & Carney, 1999).