Issues and Challenges of Handloom Weavers: A Study in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh

The present paper aims to study the demographics and socio economic activities of handloom weavers. A structured questionnaire was adopted for data collection. The study was conducted in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in India. A total of 16 villages from 16 Revenue Mandals were selected, using purposive sampling method. The study describes the socio economic activities of the weavers and suggests measures for their development. The study reveals that, average size of the handloom weaver family is 3.7. The weaver household earnings are less than agriculture labour household/MGNREGA linked earnings. Handloom weaving family average earnings reckoned to be Rs. 100 per day. Most of the weavers (73%) are having pit looms, around ninety percent of the weavers weave sarees, and inclination to learn handloom weaving by off-springs is declining. Only 26 percent weavers have savings bank account. About 72 percent of the weavers sometimes prefer to remain idle due to lack of incentives and remunerative wages.