Centre Unveils Roadmap to Boost Handloom, Handicrafts in Northeast India

In a pivotal move to transform the handloom and handicrafts sector of Northeast India into a driver of sustainable economic growth, the Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, participated in a high-level task force meeting on 22nd July 2025. The meeting was chaired by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and saw the participation of several prominent leaders and officials, including Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, Mizoram Chief Minister Shri Lalduhoma, and Assam’s Handloom & Textiles Minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, along with representatives from the Ministry of DONER, Government of Manipur, and other stakeholders.

The gathering underscored the Centre’s renewed commitment to revitalizing the traditional artisan economy of the Northeast, with a focused strategy to blend heritage with modernity.

Harnessing the Northeast's Rich Cultural Tapestry

Speaking at the event, Shri Scindia emphasized that the Northeast possesses unmatched potential to spearhead India’s sustainable fashion movement, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Fashion for Environment and Empowerment’. He said:

“The Northeast must leverage its rich heritage in handlooms and handicrafts to generate livelihoods, foster innovation, and position India’s cultural legacy on the global stage.”

With its history of eco-friendly production, natural dyes, and community-based weaving traditions, the region stands at the confluence of heritage, sustainability, and modern entrepreneurship.

Strategic Interventions: A New Roadmap for Revival

The high-level meeting focused on revitalizing the Handicrafts and Handlooms ecosystem through a series of coordinated and innovative interventions. The multi-pronged approach includes:

1. Infrastructure Upgrades

• Establishing Common Facility Centres (CFCs) in every state to support weaving and craft clusters with modern tools, dyeing units, finishing technologies, and quality testing facilities.

• Modernizing existing artisan clusters to make them hubs of production, learning, and entrepreneurship.

2. Digital and Design Integration

• Digital marketplaces for artisans to sell directly to national and global buyers.

• Promoting collaborations with design schools and institutions to modernize patterns and increase marketability.

• Integration of QR codes for product authenticity and geotagging to promote transparency.

3. Skill Development and Capacity Building

• Launch of targeted skill enhancement programmes for weavers, women artisans, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

• Promoting design incubation centres in partnership with National Institutes of Design (NIDs) and Handloom & Textile institutes.

4. Market Readiness and Value Chain Creation

• Aligning artisan-led SHGs with global quality standards and branding strategies.

• Developing a bottom-up value chain focused on local sourcing, grassroots production, and global marketing.

• Encouraging participation in national exhibitions, export expos, and online platforms such as GeM, Amazon Karigar, and Flipkart Samarth.

5. Flagship Product Identification

• Each Northeastern state will identify flagship crafts or handloom products for focused branding and nationwide promotion.

• Initiatives to seek Geographical Indication (GI) tagging for unique crafts such as Mizo Puan, Naga shawls, Assam silk, and Manipuri bamboo products.

Enabling Livelihoods and Sustainable Development

The overarching aim is to transform the handloom and handicrafts sector into a cornerstone of sustainable development in the Northeast. By empowering artisans—especially women and tribal communities—with tools, training, and market access, the government seeks to build resilient local economies that align with environmental sustainability.

Shri Scindia also highlighted that this strategy dovetails with India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), making handcrafted goods a sustainable alternative to mass-produced industrial products.

States Join Hands in Cultural and Economic Reawakening

Chief Ministers and state ministers present at the meeting expressed their support for the roadmap and offered to expedite the implementation of proposed interventions. They emphasized the importance of state-centre coordination to build craft-based micro-economies and reduce rural-to-urban migration by generating sustainable, home-based employment.

A Shared Cultural Legacy for the Global Stage

The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose to not only preserve but promote the region’s rich artisanal traditions globally. With proactive government support, community participation, and institutional collaboration, the Northeast is set to emerge as the face of India's green, inclusive, and heritage-driven fashion revolution.