In a move to provide enhanced market access to weavers and artisans, a drive has been initiated to on-board weavers and artisans on the GeM portal so as to enable them sell their products directly to the Government departments.
This will increase participation from under-served seller groups such as artisans, weavers, micro entrepreneurs, women, tribal entrepreneurs and self-help groups working in handloom and handicrafts, who face challenges in accessing Government markets.
As per an official statement, till 30 August 2021, 28,374 artisans and 1,49,422 weavers have been registered on the portal.
GeM initiated the seller registration and on-boarding of weavers and artisans in July 2020 with the assistance of officials from Office of Development Commissioner Handloom and Development Commissioner Handicrafts.
Notably, officers from 56 Handicraft Service Centres and 28 Weaver Service Centres were trained and engaged in the seller registration process.
28 exclusive product categories have been created for handloom products. Simultaneously 170 custom product categories were created for handicraft products. Dedicated web-banners and market pages have been developed for Indian handloom.
The move will help promote handloom and handicraft products with Government buyers, empower weavers and artisans to sell their products directly to Government.
GeM has created exclusive product categories for handloom and handicraft products. Dedicated web banners and market pages for India handloom and India handicrafts have been created to showcase high-quality handloom and handicraft products made by weavers, artisans, cooperative societies, SHGs and producer companies capable of supplying such products to various Government buyers.