IMPHAL, October 13: The main problem for the sericulture farmers and silk weavers in the State is finding a market, and as such the State is mulling partnering e-commerce firms to showcase silk products of the State weavers, asserted Manipur Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore today.
He was speaking at the inaugural of the Sericulture Krishi Mela at the Directorate office Sangaipat.
Nabakishore said although the silk produced in the State is of high quality, the production is still unable to meet the demand of the State and as such silk cocoons were brought in from Karnataka through the National Handloom Development Corporation.
He said silk clothes are worn only on rare occasions in the State.
To expand the market for silk products from the State, the weavers should produce more common dresses like the salwar or chunni and market them through the e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Amazon and others, he said.
Women`™s clothing like the `Rani Phee`™ should also be made available on these e-commerce platforms so that the Manipuris living outside the State may have the opportunities to buy them, he said.
At the same time to attract more buyers from outside the State, the weavers and designers should also incorporate designs of shalwar with ethnic patterns, he observed.
Partnering with websites to market the products will only benefit the farmers and weavers of sericulture, he added.
He said there are also plans to implement the Minimum Support Price which is announced annually for the benefits of farmers who are unable to sell their products.
Under this scheme, the concerned departments have to buy the unsold products at reasonable prices, he said.
The central Silk Board has to take vital role to innovate and motivate the weavers on how to make attractive designs for markets aboard, he said.
The chief guest also inspected the Krishi Mela which had 23 stalls of different Self Help Groups and entrepreneurs.
Several varieties of cocoons and silk products were also displayed in the Mela from the four valley districts.
The function was also attended by L Lakher Principal Secretary of Sericulture, H Nagesh Prabhu Member Secretary of Central Silk Board Bangalore Ministry of Textile Government of India, M Joy Singh Deputy Commissioner Imphal East District and W Ibohal Director Sericulture as president and guests of honour respectively.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/chief-secretary-mulls-tieups-with-ecommerce-firms-to-expand-market-for-silk-items/