The Kerala government plans to set up garment production centres for 200 women artisans, who are currently undergoing a six-month intensive training in textile ornamentation under the Kerala Artisans Development Corporation (Kadco).
Stating this, industries minister P K Kunhalikutty said the government was ready to provide necessary infrastructure for setting up such centres in Thrissur and Ernakulam. Textile groups of Kerala including Jolly Silks, Chakolas and Kalyan Silks have extended support to the new initiative.
Kadco initiated a training programme for women in March this year under the guidance of the Directorate of Industries and Commerce in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts with focus on garment-making using traditional and contemporary designs.
The participants have been learning basic ornamentation, hand embroidery, ornamentation work on bridal net cloth and shawls, pattern-making and other skills.
“The government is actively considering establishing small production units at the village level to help the women artisans. Kerala has plenty of potential to tap into this vast market,” said principal secretary industries and IT, PH Kurian. Kerala lags others in the production of much-in-demand fancy and ornamented garments partly because of a lack of skilled workers. The Kadco training programmes are a key step in addressing the skills gap, he added.
