Handloom Industry in Kerala

The handloom industry is a traditional industry of the state mainly concentrated in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, and in some parts of Kasargod, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Kollam districts. The industry is dominated by the Co-operative sector that accounts about 84% of total looms. The remaining 16% of looms is owned by private entrepreneurs. The major products in the handloom sector of the state are shirting, dhotis, bed sheets, furnishing, saree and lungi. The Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles, HANTEX, HANVEEV and Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) are the major stakeholder institutions involved in the development of the handloom sector in Kerala. Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) of Kannur is a nodal agency for training, research and development in the handloom sector. The procurement and marketing of handloom fabrics are handled by Kerala State Handloom Weaver’s Co-operative Society (HANTEX) and Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation (HANVEEV). The largest number of handloom societies is located at Thiruvananthapuram and the lowest number of handloom societies is at Wayanad. The schemes started by kerala government for handloom workers is 'Thanima' for Thiruvananthapuram District and ‘Kruthika' for Kannur District. The public sector undertakings working under Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala in the category of handlooms are HANVEEV and HANTEX.

■ Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (HANVEEV)

■ The Kerala State Handloom Weavers Co-Operative Society Ltd (HANTEX)