The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated National Handloom Day in Guwahati today with the theme “Handloom for Reinvigorating the Rural Economy of Assam.” The event brought together key stakeholders from government, banking and the handloom sector to highlight the critical role of handloom in Assam’s rural economic development.
Shri Dilip Kumar Borah, IAS, Secretary (Finance and Transformation & Development), Government of Assam, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Applauding NABARD and its Assam Regional Office for their continuous efforts in empowering weavers and promoting the handloom sector, he termed the current era as the “golden era of Assam’s handloom.” Shri Borah underscored the national and global recognition of Assamese handloom, citing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s use of the phulam gamosa on international platforms and the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s focused initiatives for the sector.
Quoting data from the Handloom Census 2019–20, he highlighted that Assam is home to 12.83 lakh weavers, of whom more than 90% are women, and 12.54 lakh handlooms. He also commended the Swanirbhar Naari portal, which has registered 5.64 lakh weavers and facilitated the marketing of over 11 lakh products. He elaborated on the government’s multifaceted support, including raw material assistance, Minimum Support Price (MSP), the development of an Integrated Handloom Park at Kaziranga, and the promotion of Silk Tourism in Sualkuchi and other areas.
Delivering the welcome address, Shri Loken Das, Chief General Manager, NABARD Assam Regional Office, presented an overview of NABARD’s contributions to Assam’s handloom sector. He informed that over 8,000 weavers have benefitted in recent years from NABARD-supported initiatives, including skilling programs, rural enterprise promotion, marketing infrastructure, and the formation of Off-Farm Producer Organisations (OFPOs), with grant assistance exceeding ₹528 lakh. Shri Das also mentioned NABARD’s support for Geographical Indication (GI) registration of handloom products and facilitation for authorized users. Notably, he announced that NABARD, in collaboration with IIT Roorkee, is developing a Comprehensive Handloom Roadmap for Assam, aimed at guiding long-term sustainable growth of the sector.
Smt. Sushmita Phukan, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, lauded NABARD’s initiatives in credit linkage and the promotion of eco-friendly local weaving. Shri Prabhas Bose, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, emphasized the role of Self Help Group (SHG) financing and the convergence of government schemes to further strengthen the handloom ecosystem.
Two thematic panel discussions were held on “Challenges of the Handloom Sector in Assam” and “Prospects of Handloom to Rejuvenate Assam’s Rural Economy”, where experts, policymakers, and stakeholders exchanged insights to chart a progressive path forward for the industry.
To mark the occasion, NABARD-supported weavers exhibited handloom products, showcasing the state’s rich textile heritage. A special stall by TRIFED also featured tribal weaving products, promoting indigenous artisanship and diversity in handloom traditions.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from senior officials of the State Government, banking institutions, representatives from handloom organizations, and a large number of weavers, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthen Assam’s handloom sector and rural economy.
