The prominent tribal population covers around 15% of the total geographical area of the country.

Though the tribal are mainly concentrated in the north-eastern and central part of India. Tribes people
constitute 8.14% of the total population of the country, numbering 84.51million (2001 Census).
There are 697 tribes notified by the Central Government under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution
with certain tribes being notified in more than one State. More than half the Scheduled Tribe
population is concentrated in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Orissa,
Jharkhand. The tribal population has shown a growth rate of 21.03% as against 21.35% of the entire
population, in the period 1991-2001.

Handicrafts are unique expressions and represent a culture, tradition and heritage of a country. The
Handicraft Industry is one of the important productive sector. Various attempts have been made to
define this broad and diversified industry.

Handicrafts can be defined as products which are produced either completely by hand or with the
help of tools. Mechanical tools may be used as long as the direct manual contribution of the artisan
remains the most substantial component of the finished product. Handicrafts are made from raw
materials and can be produced in unlimited numbers. Such products can be utilitarian, aesthetic,
artistic, creative, culturally attached, decorative, functional, traditional, religiously and socially
symbolic and significant.

The Importance of Handicrafts:

The Cultural Importance:

Handicrafts play very important role in representing the culture and traditions of any country or
region. Handicrafts are a substantial medium to preserve of rich traditional art, heritage and culture,
traditional skills and talents which are associated with people’s lifestyle and history.

The Economic Importance:

Handicrafts are hugely important in terms of economic development. They provide ample
opportunities for employment even with low capital investments and become a prominent medium
for foreign earnings.

AN OVERVIEW OF INDIAN HANDICRAFTS

The Indian handicrafts industry is highly labor intensive, cottage based and decentralized industry.
The industry is spread all over the country mainly in rural and urban areas. Most of the
manufacturing units are located in rural and small towns, and there is huge market potential in all
Indian cities and abroad. Handicraft industry is a major source of income for rural communities.

The Handicraft sector is highly creative sector and produces large variety of crafts products. This
industry is localized segment of the domestic and international market. In India the production of
craft products are done on both large and small scale. Because of low capital investment people can
start their business on small scale.

Though Indian Handicraft industry is considered a cottage industry, but it has evolved as one of the
major revenue generator over the years. There has been consistent growth of 15% over few years and
the industry has evolved as one of the major contributor for export and foreign revenue generation.

The Indian Handicraft Industry stands a unique place among all other industries. It represents the rich
culture, tradition and heritage of India. India’s rich cultural diversity and heritage provides a unique
and huge resource for developing craft products. The Indian Handicraft Industry is showing
continuous growth rate of 20% every year and it is one of the most important segment of
decentralized sector in India. Also, it has shown continuous growth at the rate of 15-20% over the
years and contributes major role for export and foreign earnings. The export earnings from Indian
handicrafts industry for the period 1998-99 amounted to US$ 1.2 billion.

Key facts of Indian handicraft industry:

1. The Indian Handicraft Industry is showing continuous growth rate of 20% every year.
2. Major parts of industry operates in rural and semi urban areas throughout the country and has
potential Indian and International market with around 67000 exporters to tap the market.
3. According to the national census of handicrafts, undertaken by the National Council for
Applied Economic Research the value of handicrafts produced last year were of Rs.26,213
Crore.
4. This Industry provides huge employment opportunities to artisans that include women and
people belonging to backward and weaker society. This is one of the major source of income
there.
5. The Indian Handicraft Industry is a $100 billion industry worldwide.
6. India’s contribution in world market is 1.2%
7. The total exports of crafts items: - Rs. 13412.92 Crore.
8. Industry’s share in India's exports:- 1.51 %
9. India's major export markets are USA, Germany, UK, France and Japan, Saudi Arabia,
Canada, and Italy etc.
References:

• www.gfe.de/Publication/Indian%20Handicrafts%20Industry
• Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS)
• Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED)
• Study_thr planningcommission.nic.in

SWOT Analysis

STRENGTH

1. Large, diversified and potential market.

2. There is large product variety and range is available because of diversified culture.
3. Diversified product range that service different market.
4. Cheap labour rates that result to competitive price.
5. Need low capital investment.
6. There is flexible production flexibility.
7. Low barriers of new entry.
8. There is no need for macro-investment.
9. Industry provides potential sources of employment.
10. Products are high value added, and handicrafts have various applications.
11. It is the potential source of foreign revenue because of higher export.
WEAKNESS
1. Lack of infrastructure and communication facilities.
2. Unawareness about international requirements and market.
3. Lack of co-ordination between government bodies and private players.
 4. Inadequate information of new technology.
5. Inadequate information of current market trends.
6. Less interest of young people in craft industry.
7. Lack of skilled labor.
8. Still confined to rural areas and small cities and untapped market.
9. Lack of promotion of products.
10. Lack of ability to produce in large scale and create economies of scale.
11. Inappropriate energy supplies to rural and sub-urban areas.
12. Untapped and inaccessible market due to poor transportation infrastructure.
OPPORTUNITIES
1. Rising demand for handicraft products in developed countries such as USA, Canada, Britain,
France, Germany, Italy etc.
2. Developing fashion industry requires handicrafts products.
3. Development of sectors like Retail, Real Estate that offers great requirements of handicrafts
products.
4. Development of domestic and international tourism sector.
5. e-Commerce and Internet are emerged as promissory distribution channels to market and sell
the craft products.
THREATS
Competition in domestic market.
1. Balance between high demand and supply.
2. Quality products produced by competing countries like China, South Africa.
3. Better Trade terms offered by competing countries.
4. Increased and better technological support and R&D facility in competing countries.

Handicraft In Chhattisgarh/MP

The important handicrafts in Chhattisgarh are explained in following sections.

Cane and Bamboo

Chhattisgarh also has a rich tradition of bamboo and cane crafts. Items like, mats, baskets, hunting
and fishing tools, agricultural implements etc are made from bamboo. The tribal belt of Chhattisgarh
and Bastar are main centres for production of items made from bamboo. Bamboo thickets are
common sight in the State and tribal of Chhattisgarh have been putting their craftsmanship to work.
Craftsmanship of Chhattisgarh tribal can be seen from varying articles of craft produce they make out
of bamboo. Articles for daily as well as decorative use are produced by these artisans. Some of the
will known Bamboo produce include agricultural implements, fishing traps, hunting tools and
baskets.

Wood craft
Items made of wood, affect each and every stage of human life. The range of utilitarian products and
decorative pieces made from wood is immense. Mother nature has blessed India with a vast number
of tree species. India being a tropical country mainly has deciduous or evergreen trees. Socio
Economic and Educational Planning Commission Development Society (SEEDS) Government of
India.

Wood Craft is one of the most famous beautiful and unique art of wooden carving of Bastar tribals.
These wooden crafts are made out of the finest teak wood and white wood. These wooden crafts
includes models, furniture items etc. among the furniture items Deewan (Cot with box) is very
famous and attractive since it involves the art of carving with different pictures of bastar culture and
other designs of interest. These handicrafts are generally exported to different places of the country,
and it has demand even from foreign countries also.
Woodcraft from the tribal belt of Bastar is known for figures of tribal deities, carved wooden
memorials, masks etc. Chhattisgarh is also famous for painted and lacquered wood product such as
toys, boxes, bedposts, cradles posts, flower vases etc.
The woodcarving art has been flourishing in Chhattisgarh from time immemorial and one can find
beautifully carved wooden products designed by the craftsman of the State. The skilful craftsmen of
the State carve beautiful wooden ceilings, doors, lintels etc using different kinds of wood like
shisham, teak, dhudi, sal and kikar. The craftsmen also make pipes, masks, doors, window frames
and sculptures.
Woodcraft includes items such as finely carved figurines, furniture and accessories, windows,
doors, boxes, decorative pieces, utensils, panels, beads etc.

Bell metal handicrafts

The Bastar tribals are famous in making bell metal arts which are crafted by hand through the
vanishing vax technique. These handicrafts include items like elephant, deer, horses etc. of different
sizes. Bell metal craft is of vital significant for it is basically a tribal craft. The bell metal craft of
Bastar area popularly known as “Dhokra craft” is mainly found in Jagdalpur and Kondagoan and
Narayanpur blocks. The Dhokla craft is claimed to be age old craft being transmitted from generation
to generation.

Terracotta items
The tribals of Bastar are excellent in making handicrafts of Terracotta items which is made of the
finest bed clay of river Indravati. This terracotta items includes elephants, tigers, deer, horses, table
lamps etc. These handicrafts are of different sizes.