Analyzing constraints of handloom weavers in the western zone of Tamil Nadu using rank-based quotient technique

The handloom weavers were the backbone of Indian textile industry for many years. The weavers had maintained and transferred the tradition of uniqueness and excellence to many generations which made the Indian textile industry to hold a significant position in the contribution of GDP to the country’s economic development. Despite being a labour-intensive sector, the population of handloom weavers has been reduced drastically in recent times. The present study was conducted to analyse the constraints faced by the weavers in the weaving industry in the western zone of Tamil Nadu. A total of 120 handloom weavers were selected as the study population through simple random sampling technique. Rank-based quotient technique was applied to find the major constraints of the handloom weavers and to prioritize them based on their significance. The involvement of middlemen followed by the competition from power loom sectors and low profit of the business were identified as the major problems among the weavers in the districts of Coimbatore and Erode.