Barpeta: The handloom and handicraft industry in Barpeta received a significant push on Wednesday through a day-long technical workshop aimed at strengthening skills, branding, and e-commerce adoption among local artisans and entrepreneurs.
Organised under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, the event brought together nearly 250 artisans, craftsmen, and business owners at the DRDA Conference Hall.
The programme was supported by the District Industries and Commerce Centre (DICC), Barpeta, and implemented by the Assam Small Industries Development Corporation (ASIDC) in association with the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC).
Officials and industry experts, including CEO of Zilla Parishad Diganta Baishya, DICC GM (in-charge) Arup Kumar Deka, Handloom Department Assistant Director Chittaran Choudhury, NEHHDC expert Shaqib Hussain, and RAMP consultant Yesmin Laskar, attended the event.
Speakers underlined the government’s commitment to empowering artisans through initiatives aligned with the “Make in Assam” vision.
They stressed that proper training, easier access to credit, and exposure to global markets could help traditional Assamese crafts gain a strong foothold internationally.
The sessions focused on key areas such as product design, packaging, quality enhancement, and branding strategies linked to ODOP (One District One Product) and GI tagging.
Participants also learned how to use digital platforms like ONDC, GeM, Amazon, Flipkart, and social media to reach wider markets.
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The workshop featured a product exhibition showcasing locally crafted items, giving artisans an opportunity to network with buyers and industry leaders.
Practical training modules on financial literacy, SHG funding, loan facilities, and export opportunities were also part of the programme.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates and a call for artisans to utilise the RAMP initiative as a platform to scale up Barpeta’s traditional handloom and handicraft sector into a competitive global industry.
