Karnataka: NABARD Supports Artisans and Promote Traditional Crafts on the occasion of Handloom Day

Bengaluru, August 7: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Karnataka RegionalOffice co-sponsored a handloom and handicrafts exhibition from 5 to 9 August 2026at Bengaluru bringing together artisans, weavers, entrepreneurs, and craft enthusiasts from Karnataka and across India. The event assumes special significance as it coincides with National Handloom Day, celebrated annually on 7 August to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on 7 August 1905.

Addressing the inaugural function, Dr. Surendra Babu underscored NABARD’s commitment to fostering rural prosperity through the promotion of sustainable livelihoods. Highlighting the immense contribution of the handloom sector to India’s rural economy, he stated that the sector supports the livelihoods of more than 35 lakh people, with women constituting over 70 percent of the workforce. Beyond generating employment, the handloom industry preserves India’s rich textile heritage while promoting environmentally sustainable production practices.

Karnataka occupies a prominent position in India’s textile landscape. The state contributes nearly 65 percent of the country’s mulberry silk production and is a major cotton-growing region, producing around 20 lakh bales annually. Renowned for centuries-old weaving traditions dating back to the 8th century, Karnataka is home to distinguished textile products such as Ilkal Sarees, Mysore Silk Sarees, Udupi Cotton Sarees, and Karnataka Kasuti Sarees, all of which have received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition. The state currently has approximately 40,000 handloom weavers and 1.2 lakh power looms.

As part of its support to the event being organised by Gocoop Solutions and services pvt Ltd, NABARD has sponsored 30 stalls for handloom and handicraft artisans from Karnataka and several other states, providing them with a valuable platform to showcase their products, connect with consumers, and explore new market opportunities.

Over the years, NABARD has implemented a range of developmental and financial interventions to strengthen artisan livelihoods. These include refinance support to banks for on-lending to Primary Weaver Cooperative Societies, skill development initiatives, assistance for GI registration, support for Off-Farm Producer Organisations (OFPOs), and entrepreneurship promotion programmes such as the Livelihood Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP) and Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP).

In Karnataka, NABARD has extended support to five Off-Farm Producer Organisations with an assistance of ₹250 lakh, promoting traditional crafts including Channapatna toys, Aari embroidery, Kasuti work, handlooms, and the Kolhapuri footwear cluster. NABARD has also facilitated the establishment of a GI Store at the Aihole Heritage Site in Bagalkot for the promotion of Ilkal and Guledgudda Khana sarees.

Further, NABARD has supported innovative skill upgradation programmes for weavers in Guledagudda, Bagalkot district, enabling artisans to improve product quality and market competitiveness. Another notable initiative is the support extended to Swavlambi Sakhi Producer Company Limited (SSPCL), a women-led producer company with over 200 members from Dharwad district.

Through branding and market linkage support, SSPCL markets its products under the brand “Authentic Karnataka”, operates a retail outlet in Hubballi, and runs a sales outlet at Hubballi Airport established with NABARD assistance under the Airports Authority of India’s AVSAR scheme. These interventions have helped artisans transition from subsistence-based livelihoods to sustainable rural enterprises, creating opportunities for income enhancement, market access, and entrepreneurship development.