There are a number of factors that affect the growth of the Indian wooden handicraft sector.
They are :
- The Indian handicrafts industry is a decentralized one.
As a result, the products are not sufficiently remunerative. The
artisans work on a part-time basis, while taking up other means of
alternate options of livelihood.
- Production of wooden handicrafts in India is chiefly dependent on
the raw materials available locally. Deforestation comes
across as one of the main reasons for the setback in production
levels of wooden handicrafts.
- The wooden handicrafts sector is based in rural India where lack
of proper infrastructure and working capital is a major cause
for concern. Weak infrastructure leads to delay in delivery and
affects the quality of finished products.
- The Indian wooden handicrafts sector is plagued by poor
marketing strategies. Craftsmen are not independent enough to
resort to direct marketing of their own products. As a result, they
are unable to handle the threat to their industry from machine-made
products.
- Most of the craftsmen in the wooden handicraft sector live below
the poverty line, and are illiterate. They are also ignorant
of the benefits bestowed on them by the Government.
- Wooden handicrafts are sold at least three to four times the price paid to the craftsmen. Improper pricing mechanisms, and the intervention of middlemen deprive the artisans from getting their due.
