A Study On The Economic Impact Of Handloom Co-operatives On Weavers

Abstract

Aco-operative society is an independent people's association voluntarily united to fulfill their basic economic, social and cultural requirements by means of a collectively owned and democratically controlled activity. The co-operative movement was an awakening movement for handloom and its associated activities. The handloom co-operative societies played a vital role in our country's economy. The societies provided employment as a source of livelihood for millions of handloom weavers. It is an organization for the deprived and innocent person and takes care of the challenges and the growth strategy by providing strategic inputs on the sector they belong. The development and rapid growth of handloom co-operatives are therefore of vital importance. The Government introduces several schemes to increase the competitive strength of the handloom co-operatives. However, not all handloom co-operatives are well managed and well run. The growth performance of a co-operatives establishes the development of other institutions, middlemen, master weavers, independent weavers, and other beneficiaries. Well-performed co-operatives safeguard the handloom sector since they defend the member weavers and afford a counterbalance with the master weaver. The failure of the handloom co-operative societies will produce substantial losses not only to members and society, but also to the community at large. The powerloom is a clear threat, but can be challenged by unique handloom products that can be marketed locally or abroad, unlike powerloom articles. Based on fieldwork, this study analyzes the distribution of income between handloom co-operatives member weavers and non-member weavers.It also analyzes the variations in the expenditure on essentials and traces out the difference in savings and investment pattern of members and non-member weavers. This study was undertaken in Bishnupur Municipality, Bankura District, West Bengal. Athree-stage sampling procedure was followed for sample selection and the responses from the questionnaires are analyzed to test statistically significant differences between the members and non-members. The results revealed that co-operatives have contributed significantly to improve the economic conditions of the weavers. The non-member weavers should become member weavers to get the benefits as enjoyed by the member weavers and increase their social and economic status in the society