Srinagar, Aug 21: Handicraft cooperative societies have grown by more than 90 percent in the last three years.
Figures accessed by The Kashmir Monitor reveal that the number of handicraft cooperative societies in Jammu and Kashmir has grown to 5682 in 2024. In 2020, their number was restricted to a mere 300.
These cooperatives, which range from small, local groups to larger and more organized entities, have been instrumental in providing artisans with better resources, training, and financial support.
Formulation of Handicrafts co-operative societies is a follow-up activity being initiated by the Department of Handicrafts concerning handicrafts training programs.
Under this dispensation of the department, the trainees after completion of their training are mobilized to form co-operatives societies to earn their livelihood.
Through managerial subsidy schemes initiated by the Jammu and Kashmir government in 2020, these cooperative societies are eligible for financial assistance of Rs.1.00 lakh, to be paid in two yearly equal installments of Rs. 0.50 lakh each.
The growth of the cooperative societies has substantially revived the handicrafts in Jammu and Kashmir by bringing more people into art and crafts.
As per the figures, currently, as many as 380000 artisans associated with 60 different crafts are registered with the handicrafts and handloom department.
Suraiya is one of the artisans who successfully established a pashmina shawl-making unit.
“Today I have more than eight artisans working under me. At our unit, we weave pashmina shawls and do embroidery work too. At the cooperative society, we were taught how to weave as well as do embroidery work on shawls, and the experience we gained there helped many like me to set up their units,” she said.
An official at the handicrafts and handloom department said that more such cooperative societies are expected to come as many people are coming to learn the craft.
“We have witnessed a growth in the number of artisans especially after the government approved GI tag for a few of the crafts. Our motive is to flourish the handicrafts sector in the valley to grow the income of our artisans as well as that of the union territory,” he said.
