An Economy of Reeling, Spinning, and Weaving in Vanya Silk with Reference to Muga and Eri Silk

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the economy of reelers, spinners, and weavers who are an integral part of the silk industry. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data has been collected from 572 respondents from five (5) major handloom-producing districts namely Kamrup Rural, Nalbari, Dhemaji, Kokrajhar, and Udalguri districts of Assam. The income determination of different groups of workers is analyzed by taking the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) method. The study found differences in income among reeler and spinner, reeling and spinning in the machine and traditional device. Income of the reeler is also found to have negatively increased by age whereas experience is found to influence the income positively. In the case of spinner education, age, and experience are not found to influence their income. The study also shows differences in income among Muga weavers and Eri weavers, and on the basis of different products. Education and training are found to be insignificant and have no role in the determination of the income of weavers. Age is found to be negatively significant, indicating an increase in income at a diminishing rate. The results also show the income of the weaver to be determined positively by design since the wage rate for products with design is higher.