Kanpur saddle industry on growth path thanks to exports

Workers engaged in the saddle industry in Kanpur have hailed its growth in the wake of the substantial export revenue earned from the United States and Europe.

Despite recession in the industry sector, the manufacture of saddlery products are on the rise in Kanpur due to the easy availability of raw material, which is the skin of a buffalo.

A businessman, Abu Faisal, who is engaged in the saddle industry, said: "The saddlery industry comprises of products such as the saddle and the whip that is used to control the horse. This is a vast industry and a lot of products related to the horse are manufactured over here. A lot of workers are associated with it in Kanpur itself and it is one of the main industry."

Good quality products are manufactured in Kanpur at cheap rates since both labour and material are easily available.

"India receives an overall of 112 million dollars as per foreign industry figures. The export market is growing and will continue to grow," Jawed said.

The best thing about the saddle industry is that it is pollution free and does not harm the environment. The workers are mainly involved in making the products with hand.

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The saddlery industry dates back to the times of the British when they set up Upper India Commerce in Kanpur.

The credit for setting up this industry goes to Allen Cooper who had established it in Kanpur in 1889 and even today it is popular by this name all over the world.