Socio-Economic Conditions of Silk Handloom Weavers in Azamgarh and Varanasi Districts of Uttar Pradesh

The handloom weaving industry in India employs 14% of the poor (second only to agriculture) and provides around 11% of total textile exports annually. The availability of various fabric patterns and the production of garments and outfits, which are the occupations of millions of weavers employed by the handloom sector in India, have contributed to the rise in popularity of India's handloom industry. The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has around 130778 handloom weavers. This study discusses the socio-economic conditions of silk handloom weavers in the Azamgarh and Varanasi districts of Uttar Pradesh. The study is based on primary data through a structures interview schedule. The total sample respondents for the survey from Azamgarh and Varanasi were 405, comprising 205 samples from the Azamgarh district and 200 samples from the Varanasi district. In Azamgarh district, 35 representatives were from Akbarpur, 40 samples were from Atraulia, 32 samples were from Jahanagaj, 28 were from Jeeyanpur, and 70 were from Mubarakpur. In the same way, 200 samples were selected from Varanasi, in which 60 samples were from Bajardiha, 50 samples from Jaitpura, 30 samples were from Jallalipura, 30 were from Lohta, and 30 were from Madanpura. The data were evaluated using a simple percentage, annual growth, and compound annual growth rate and presented by pie and bar diagrams. This study is based on location, age, gender, religion, social group, educational qualification, type and size of the family, employment status, type and ownership of dwelling units, ration card, source of loan and purpose of the loan, monthly household income from handloom related activities, and possession of looms. The study results indicated that the position of handloom weavers was miserable. The youth participation in this profession is meagre 3.5 per cent. They are not interested in choosing this as a profession. The majority of workers are men, 91 per cent, and the women worker's participation is not in a good ratio. The Muslim religion dominates the silk handloom weaving industry at 65 per cent. The weaving activity is shared mainly by OBCs 63.1 per cent (Other Backward Class) social group. Most households (63 per cent) have a monthly household income range of less than Rs. 5001-7500, and 56.8 per cent of the respondents have a monthly consumption expenditure of Rs. 5001-7500.