SHANLAX

International Journal of Management # SI N C E 1 9 9 0

A Study on Evaluation of
Handloom Weavers’ Training
Programmes Provided in
OPEN ACCESS Thoppampatti Block of Dindigul
Volume: 6
District in Tamil Nadu
Special Issue: 1
A. Mahalingam
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Applied Research
Month: February Gandhigram Rural Institute, Deemed University

Year: 2019
Dr. A. Balakrishnan
Professor and Head, Department of Applied Research
ISSN: 2321-4643 Gandhigram Rural Institute, Deemed University, Gandhigram, Dindigul

Impact Factor: 3.122 Abstract

The training programme for handloom weavers needs for modernization of handloom
Citation:
technology and skill up gradation for weaving process. The hand loom weavers
Mahalingam, A need for training on loom setting, pre loom activities, weaving, Dyeing, Frequent
Balakrishnan, A. “A design changing, introducing new variety, Repairing and replacing the damaged
Study on Evaluation loom accessories and weaving defect free cloths. In addition to it, development
of Handloom and awareness programmes are needed for the modern marketing practices,
Weavers’ Training costing and co-operative management. The both state and central governments are
Programmes taking the accountability to impart the training to poor hand loom artisans. The
Provided in handloom training centers are established in Erode, Paramagudi, Kumpakonum,
Thoppampatti Block and Kanchipuraum as a specialized institute to provide the various types of training
of Dindigul District programmes for the weavers in the respective handloom circles in Tamil nadu. In
in Tamil Nadu.” additions to it, weavers services centers (WSCs) are taking the responsibility of
Shanlax conducting the training for handloom weavers in all the district of Tamil nadu
International Journal
of Management, Introduction
vol. 6, no. S1, 2019, The handloom textiles sector is considered as a heritage and
pp. 163–69. culture of India. The span of history of the hand loom sector has been
perceived as from the Vedic Era to present Knowledge Era. The Indian
DOI: Share of global production of Handloom Goods has been estimated
https://doi.org/10.5281 as 90 percent. Nearly 43.31 lakh weaving and allied workers who
/zenodo.2567677 are belonging to below poverty line are generating the employment
opportunities with producing the handmade fiber in 23.77 lakh
handlooms for live hood from this unorganized scatted hand loom
industry. The institutionalization of scatted handloom sector has been
done by the head Development Commissioner of Hand loom sector
after the independence of India. The average annual production of
handloom sector is recorded as 6900 million Square Meters. The
handloom weavers’ co-operative societies (WCSs) and Master
weavers (MWs) are the entrepreneurs of this sector. In addition to it,

http://www.shanlaxjournals.in 163
International Conference on “Contemporary Issues and Futuristic Trends in Management” (CIFTM’19)
the state government are also play the role of entrepreneurship to promote the economically weaker
handloom community. For this purpose both the central and state governments are implanting
the development scheme such as rebate subsidiary, interest subsidiary, transport subsidiary and
marketing assistances schemes to WCSs and welfare schemes such as health insurance scheme,
pension schemes, work shed, weavers housing scheme through the India. In this connection, the
various Training programmes are offering to handloom artisans for the technology up gradation
skill development and value addition of handloom products.

Training programme for Hand Weavers

Training intends to develop specific and useful knowledge, skill and techniques. Training
is basically a task oriented activity which prepares peoples to carry out predetermined tasks.
Development is a complex process wherein the individuals learn, grow, improve their abilities to
perform a wide variety of roles within and outside the organization and acquire desirable attitudes
and values. Thus development includes training to increase skill in performing a job as well as
education to increase general knowledge and understanding of business circumstances. The training
programme for handloom weavers needs for modernization of handloom technology and skill up
gradation for weaving process. The hand loom weavers need for training on loom setting, pre
loom activities, weaving, Dyeing , Frequent design changing, introducing new variety, Repairing
and replacing the damaged loom accessories and weaving defect free cloths. In addition to it,
development and awareness programmes are needed for the modern marketing practices, costing
and co-operative management. The both state and central governments are taking the accountability
to impart the training to poor hand loom artisans. The handloom training centers are established
in Erode, Paramagudi, Kumpakonum, and Kanchipuraum as a specialized institute to provide
the various types of training programmes for the weavers in the respective handloom circles in
Tamil nadu. In additions to it, weavers services centers (WSCs) are taking the responsibility of
conducting the training for handloom weavers in all the district of Tamil nadu. In this connection,
the Indian institute of Handloom technology (IIHT) Salem, The Ghandhi gram Rural University
(GRI) Ghandhi gram and The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Chennai are nodal
agencies in this respect under integrated handloom development projects.

Statement of the Problem

The training to handloom weavers increases the productivity, co-operative team involvement
and artisan’s commitment. It also redefines the weaving process with better quality. But it has
certain drawbacks and issues such as loss of earning at the time of training period, additional cost
for loom modernization, insufficient lecturing method, offering of the training to existing artisans
not any other unemployed youth, Communication gap between the trainers and trainees. In this
connection the particular factors like as lack of proper course materials and government authorities’
slowdown nature of work, the lack of contribution of hand loom weavers to the cost of training
programme and formulation of training are also playing as the barriers to achieve the real goal of
training programme. This problematic situation urges to undertake the research work entitled on
“A Study on evaluation of handloom weavers’ training programmes provided in Thoppampatti
block of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.

Objective of the Study

1. To study the demographical and occupational conditions of sample handloom weavers in
Thoppampatti block of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
2. To evaluate the nature and pattern of handloom weavers training programmes offered in
Thoppampatti block of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
164 VIJAY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, Dindigul
 SHANLAX
International Journal of Management # SI N C E 1 9 9 0

3. To assess the benefits and improvement of training programmes offered to sample handloom
weavers in Thoppampatti block of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
4. To evaluate the perceptions of sample handloom weavers on training programmes offered
in Thoppampatti block of Dindigul district.
5. To suggest the implementable recommendation to improve the quality and impact of
handloom weavers training offered in Tamil nadu.

Research Methodology
It is a descriptive cum analytical study. Both the primary data and secondary data were collected.
The survey method has been adapted to collect the primary data. The Annual reports of WCSs,
WSCs, the policy note of Handloom and Textiles Government of Tamil Nadu, Annual reports of
Textile Department, Government of India and other Records of WSCs were used as a secondary
data. In this connection, the 50 handloom artisans weaving in the Thoppampatti block of Dindigul
district were selected as sample respondents for this study through simple random technique by
using lottery method in Chennai city. The well structured questionnaire was used to collect the
data from the primary source. The collected data has been properly coded, tabulated, analyzed and
interpreted by using statistical tools such as simple percentage, average, mean and “ T” test.

Demographic and Occupational Conditions of sample Handloom weavers

The majority of handloom weavers in Thoppampatti block of Dindigul District are jointly
together and carrying their weaving activities through weavers co-operative societies named as
Thiruvalluver Handloom Weavers Industrial co-operative societies ltd. Narikkalpatti, Kolumakudan
WCS and Sri Sowdeashwariamman WCS , Shatnan chettivalasu . The Major varieties of production
in this area are kora Silk Sarees and Pure Silk Sarees. Their average production per day is in the
range from 2.5 meters to 5 meters. There are working in 20 to 25 days per month by an average.
The majority of age group of sample weavers has belonged to the range from 31 to 45 years. Their
earning per month spreads from Rupees 6001 to 12000 by an average. The Majority of weaving
households have one or two handlooms per family by an average. (Table no. 1)

Nature and Pattern of Training programmes offered to Handloom weavers

The weaving training programmes has been provided to sample handloom weavers in
Thoppampatti block at WCS s for the period of 45 days by the WSCs Narikalapatti . It is funded
by the directorate of handloom and textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu.In adition to it, Dyeing
(Tie and Dyeing) Training is provided for the period of one week to this sample weavers. Nearly
Rupees 210 per day has been given to trainees as stipend during the training period to meet the
travelling expenses and other conveyances. (Table -2)

Table -1 Demographic and Occupational Conditions of sample Handloom weavers in

Thoppampatti block of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu
Sl.no Profile No’s of the sample Respondents Percentage
Age
18 years to 30 years 12 24
31 years to 45 years 25 50
I
46 years to 60 years 10 20
Above 60 years 03 06
Total 50 100

http://www.shanlaxjournals.in 165
International Conference on “Contemporary Issues and Futuristic Trends in Management” (CIFTM’19)

Family Status
Joint family 18 36
II Nuclear family 28 56
Single 04 08
Total 50 100
Income Level per month
Below Rs. 6000 per month 07 14
Rs.6001—12000 27 54
III
Rs. 12001-20000 09 18
Above 20 000 07 14
Total 50 100
No’s of Handloom
1 loom 28 56
IV 2 looms 22 44
3 looms 00 00
Total 50 100
Variety of Hand loom product weaving
Kora skill saree 34 72
V Cotton Saree 01 02
Skill Saree 15 30
Total 50 100
Production attached with
WCSs 28 56
VI
MWs 22 44
Total 50 100
Source: Compiled from primary data

Table -2 Nature and Pattern of Training programmes offered to sample Handloom weavers
in Thoppampatti block of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu
Sl.no Profile No’s of the sample Respondents Percentage
Agency of Training programme
Handloom Training Center 02 04
Weavers Training Center 39 78
I National Institute of Fashion 03 06
Technology
Indian Institute of Handloom 06 12
Technology
Total 50 100
Nature of Training
Weaving 39 78
II Dyeing 06 12
Pre loom activities 05 10
Total 50 100

166 VIJAY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, Dindigul

 SHANLAX
International Journal of Management # SI N C E 1 9 9 0

Type of Training
In house Training 00 00
III In Training Center 05 10
WCSs 45 90
Total 50 100
Duration of Training period
One week 03 06
IV 8 days to 15 days 06 12
16 days to 30 days 02 04
Above 30 Days 39 78
Total 50 100
Source: Compiled from primary data

Evaluation of the Handloom weavers’ Training Programme

The evaluation of the present handloom weavers training system has been done through the
assessing the gender wise perception of handloom weavers with the respect of impacts of training
programme in their weaving and dyeing activities. For this purpose, The data obtained from the
gender wise perception of handloom weavers with the respect impact of Training programme were
fitted with‘t’ test to find out the association of the profile variable with the process of training
system. The both male and female weavers has perceived highly the impact training programme as
Reducing drudgery, Reducing wastage in weaving, Dyeing methods and Value addition of Cloth.
(Table; 3)

Table 3 The evaluation of Handloom weavers Training system

Male N=25 Female N=25
Sl. Impact of Level
No Handloom weavers Training Mean Std. Mean Std. “t” Value of
system _ Deviation _ Deviation Significance
X ‘S’ X ‘S’
1 Reducing drudgery 3.7356 1.005 3.9074 0.917 -1.04 0.300
2 Reducing wastage in weaving 3.6092 0.671 3.7963 0.655 -1.63 0.105
Increasing
3 3.3448 1.180 3.7037 1.176 -1.96* 0.057
productivity
4 Value addition of Cloth 3.3103 0.919 3.3519 0.756 -0.07 0.945
Product
5 2.7241 1.428 2.7407 1.362 -0.07 0.945
diversification
Improvement in the quality of
6 3.2989 0.954 3.2037 0.959 0.57 0.567
cloth
7 Knowledge of new technology 3.4138 0.815 3.2407 0.910 1.14 0.256
Operational
8 knowable on new kind of Equip- 2.5517 1.139 2.3519 1.152 1.01 0.317
ment and accessories’
9 Dyeing methods 3.7366 1.105 3.8073 0.907 -1.14 0.299
10 Quality 3.5082 0.661 3.5961 0.605 -1.53 0.099
11 Dyeing fastness 3.2248 1.190 3.9037 1.076 -1.86* 0.049
12 Colour combination 2.7231 1.418 2.8407 1.382 -0.08 0.935
Source: Computed from respondents schedule * Significant at 5 percent level

http://www.shanlaxjournals.in 167
International Conference on “Contemporary Issues and Futuristic Trends in Management” (CIFTM’19)
It was noticed that the following impact of Training programmes such as performance
management such as, Increasing productivity, and Dyeing fastness “ were statistically significant
at 5 percent level, since the ‘t’ values were greater than the tabled ‘t’ value.

Suggestions and Conclusion

The government of Tamil Nadu should includes the local issues and challenges in framing the
training programme. The Training for Marketing practice, Human Resource Development and
costing practices should be provided. The trends of loom and weavers are in diminishing one from
time to time. So The training programmes should be offered to fresh unemployed rural youth for
their entrances into handloom filed.

References
1. Amrik Singh Sudan (1997), Marketing of Handloom Products in Jammu and Kashmir,
Anmol Publications, New Delhi.
2. Anandan, K.V. (1989), Product Design and Development in Cooptex, Unpublished M.Phil
Thesis, Madurai Kamaraj University, June.
3. Aswini Kumar Mishra (2003), Social Impact of Handloom Cooperatives on Weavers in
Western Orissa: An Empirical Study, Journal of Rural Development, Vol.13 (2), April-June,
pp-259-267.
4. Badi, R.V (2008), Human Resource Management, Vrinda Publications (P) Ltd., New Delhi,
p-142.
5. Debdee Banerjee (2004), Market and Non-Market Configurations in Rural West Bengal
Local Organization and Silk Weaving, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. XXX, No.47,
November 25, pp-135-142.
6. Dharmaraju, P (2006), Angara and Koyyalagudem: Marketing in Handloom Cooperatives,
Economic and Political Weekly, Vol.41(31), August, 05 – 11.
7. Government of India (2011) Recommendation for Handloom Sector Policy and Schemes,
Planning Commission, p-129.
8. Government of India, Ministry Annual Report 2012-13, p-6.
9. Government of Tamil Nadu, Policy Note of 2012-17, p-369.
10. Joseph Nelson, D (2001), Marketing Strategies of Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies
– An Assessment, Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram.
11. Jyothi Rani, T and Prema Kumary, C.H (1996), Performance of Cotton Handloom Weavers’
Cooperative Societies, Agricultural Banker, Vol. 20 (2).
12. Krishna Murthy, G (2004), Income, Expenditure, Indebtedness and Poverty among the
Handloom Weavers: A Case Study, Southern Economist, May 15.
13. Krishna Reddy, V et.all., (2013), Economic Reforms – Declining Handloom Industry – Role
of Microfinance, American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social
Sciences, www.iasir.net, p-67.
14. Mahapatro (1986), Economics of Cotton Handloom Industry in India, Ashish Publishing
House, New Delhi.
15. Mahendra Dev, S, S. Galab, P.Prudhvikar Reddy, and Soumya Vinayan (2008), Economics
of Handloom Weaving: A Field Study in Andhra Pradesh, Economic and Political Weekly,
Vol. 43 (21), May.
16. Menubhai Patel (1992), Reformation of Village Industries Cooperatives, Khadi Gramodyog,
Vol. XXXVIII, No.11-12, August-September, pp-637-643.

168 VIJAY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, Dindigul

 SHANLAX
International Journal of Management # SI N C E 1 9 9 0

17. Nambiar, P.E (1964), Handicrafts and Artisans of Madras State, Silk Weaving of
Kanchipuram, Census of India-1961, Madras, pp-29-48.
18. NCER (2009), Assessing the Prospects for India’s Textile and Clothing Sector, New Delhi.
19. Negam C. Das (1986), Development of Handloom Industry, Deep & Deep Publication, New
Delhi.
20. Noorhasha Abdul (2005), Handlooms in Distress, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol.
XXXI, No.23, June 8, pp-1384-1386.
21. Prabhakar, M.V.R, (1990), Relevance of Khadi and Village Industries, Khadi Gramodyog,
Vol. XXXVI, No.10, September, pp-508-513.
22. Rajagopal (1993), Fibre Cooperatives for Rural Women: An Analysis of Organizational and
Management Aspects, Journal of Rural Development, Vol.12 (6), November, pp-597-615.
23. Raju, D.S., and Ram Mohan, V (1993), Rural Upliftment through Cooperatives, Indian
Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. XLVIII, No.49, October-November, pp-89-94.
24. Sahoo, S.C. (1994), Marketing Approach of Adoption – A Panacea for Ailing Cooperatives,
Encyclopedia of Cooperative Management, Cooperative Marketing Proletarianisation of
Distributory Channels, B.S. Bhatia et al., Deep and Deep Publications, New Delhi, Vol. 4,
pp-164-165.
25. Samir Ghose and Madan Mohan Maji (2005), Economic Hindrance to Handloom Industries:
A Study of West Bengal, Southern Economist, Vol. 44 (7), August 1, p-13.
26. Sankaran, S. (1979), Economic Development of India, Progressive Cooperative Private Ltd.,
Bombay.
27. Seetharaman, S.P. (1981), Organizational Effectiveness of Cooperatives, Tamil Nadu Journal
of Cooperation, November, pp-239-252.
28. Subburaj, B and Joseph Nelson, D (1994), Pricing Strategy of Weavers’ Cooperatives, The
Cooperator, Vol. 32 (1), July, pp-17-18.
29. Subudhi, R.N and S.K. Padhi (1991), Indian Women in Cooperative Management, Khadi
Gramodyog, Vol. XXXVII, No.7, April, pp- 255-258.
30. Suri, K.B., (ed.) (1991), Small Scale Enterprises in Industrial Development: The Indian
Experience, Sage Publications, New Delhi.
31. Tamal Sarkar (2011), Artisanal Clusters: Towards A Brighter Future, Yojana.
32. Venkata Ratnam, C.S. (1987), Unionisms and Union Management Relations in Cooperative
Sector – A Study of Selected Units in Visakapatnam District, The Indian Journal of Labour
Economics, Vol. XXX, No.1-2, April-July.

http://www.shanlaxjournals.in 169