While official estimates project Jammu & Kashmir's textile exports to reach ₹850 crore by 2026, local handloom weavers report stagnant wages of ₹6,000–₹7,000 per month. The gap between sector-wide growth and individual artisan income highlights concerns over administrative restructuring and the effectiveness of current support schemes.
The textile sector in Jammu and Kashmir is showing a divide between top-line growth figures and the economic reality of its grassroots artisans. Official projections suggest that exports from the region's textile and apparel sector are on track to exceed ₹850 crore in the 2025-26 fiscal year, supported by claims of rising employment numbers. However, the traditional handloom segment, known for products like the intricate Kani shawl, is reporting a different experience.
Economic Disconnect for Artisans
For many local weavers, the reported sector prosperity is not translating into higher earnings. The production of premium hand-woven items is a time-intensive process, with a single Kani shawl often requiring more than six months of labor. Despite the high value of these finished products in the market, weavers report monthly incomes in the range of ₹6,000 to ₹7,000. This low return is cited as a primary reason for the declining interest in the craft, as younger generations move toward more stable employment opportunities.
Impact of Administrative Changes
The challenges faced by the weavers have been linked to administrative restructuring that followed the 2019 abrogation of Article 370. The local government merged the Handloom and Handicrafts departments into a single entity. Industry representatives, including the Coordination Committee of Handloom Cooperative Societies Association, have argued that this move diluted the focus on handloom-specific initiatives. The merger reportedly led to a loss of the dedicated attention and specialized policy implementation that the handloom sector previously received.
Calls for Policy Review
Associations representing handloom cooperative societies have consistently requested the restoration of a separate handloom department to better address the unique needs of the craft. Despite these appeals, there has been no official move to demerge the departments. The persistence of these grievances raises questions about how sector-level support schemes are being executed and whether they are successfully reaching the artisans who form the backbone of the industry. The key monitorable for the region's textile industry will be whether authorities introduce specific financial or structural interventions to bridge this income gap and preserve traditional craft skills.