Desk Correspondent , Lucknow – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath has prioritized the improvement of income, dignity, and long-term sustainability for weavers in Uttar Pradesh. In a high-level review meeting regarding the handloom sector, he directed officials to devise a comprehensive cluster-based development plan that addresses the challenges weavers face, such as rising raw material costs, outdated designs, and limited market access for the approximately 1.99 lakh weavers in the state. The initiative aims to seamlessly integrate production, quality enhancement, and marketing via a comprehensive value-chain approach, while promoting the formation of registered weaver units for collective manufacturing and joint marketing.

CM Yogi Adityanath directed the establishment of key institutional mechanisms, including designer-cum-marketing executives, dedicated design houses, sourcing and buying agencies, and export houses, to strengthen both domestic and international market access for the state’s weavers. He emphasised the aggressive use of digital platforms, e-commerce, and strong branding strategies to enable weavers to connect directly with consumers. For power loom weavers, the Chief Minister instructed officials to prepare a practical action plan focused on reducing electricity costs and promoting solar energy adoption to ensure long-term sustainability.

Minister for MSME and Handloom Rakesh Sachan also attended the meeting, during which officials were instructed to transition from isolated schemes to a more coordinated and results-focused strategy that recognizes weavers as custodians of tradition and crucial contributors to the state's economy. Uttar Pradesh ranks sixth in the nation for handloom production and excels in producing carpets, durries, mats, bedsheets, and furnishings. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the state contributed ₹109.40 crore to India's total handloom exports valued at ₹1,178.93 crore. Adityanath emphasized that enhancing this sector through technology adoption, collective marketing, and cost reductions will not only increase incomes but also preserve cultural heritage and provide dignified livelihoods for many weaver families. The roadmap for these initiatives is expected to be finalized soon for implementation in weaver-centric regions.