[ PAPER ID: 55983 ] PROBLEMS OF THE HANDLOOM INDUSTRY IN MANIPUR: A STUDY OF THREE DISTRICTS : ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: Sep 18, 2025, Revised: Oct 20, 2025, Accepted: Oct 27, 2025, https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v4i4.2025.221-230, HOW TO CITE: Poojalaxmi Brahmacharimayum &  Singh Ngangom Rojitkumar (2025).  Problems of the Handloom Industry in Manipur: A Study of Three Districts. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 4(4), 221-230.

Brahmacharimayum Poojalaxmi*; Ngangom Rojitkumar Singh

Authors

Brahmacharimayum Poojalaxmi* Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Manipur University, India.
Ngangom Rojitkumar Singh Research Scholar, Department of Mathematics, North-Eastern Hill University, India.

Abstract

The handloom industry is one of the most significant sources of livelihood and employment in Manipur, particularly for women, yet it continues to face multifaceted challenges that threaten its sustainability. This study examines the major problems confronting the handloom industry in three valley districts of Manipur—Imphal-East, Imphal-West, and Bishnupur. The study is empirical in nature and is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from 400 handloom weavers through personal interviews using an open-ended questionnaire during the field survey conducted from August 2023 to January 2024. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select the respondents. The findings reveal that handloom weavers face severe production, marketing, financial, and health-related problems. Key issues include dependence on traders and middlemen, low and irregular wages, delay in payments, lack of proper marketing channels, rising raw material costs, limited access to credit, inadequate government support, outdated looms, lack of training, and intense competition from power loom and imitation products. Occupational health problems, particularly musculoskeletal disorders and chronic back pain, are widespread due to prolonged working hours and poor working conditions. The paper emphasizes the need for effective implementation of the Handloom Reservation Act, improved marketing infrastructure, and better access to credit and technology, enhanced government support, and increased awareness of welfare and health insurance schemes to ensure the sustainable development of the handloom sector in Manipur.