‘Demand and supply of kunbi sarees in Goa do not match’

Panaji: Despite great demand for kunbi handloom saris, supplies are limited due to unskilled craftsmanship, said director of handicrafts, textile and coir, Arvind Bugde. He was recently speaking at an orientation programme for students of the fashion, designing and making segment of the vocational stream in association with the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education.
“Handloom weaving is the second largest employment-generating sector in India. We must support the traditional handloom industry in Goa. Today, handloom contours are in great demand globally. Here in Goa, we have a demand for 2,000 kunbi saris in a month but are unable to meet the demand,” he said.
To boost sales, Bugde said the government plans to have fashion shows in collaboration with the education department so that the art can be taken to new heights.
At the orientation-cum-training programme organised towards the revival of handloom weaving, Goa Board chairman Bagirath Shetye exhorted the students to work hard on reviving traditional handloom weaving.
“This programme is the first of its kind. We need to preserve the handloom weaving industry. The department is ready to look after the logistics requirements and other resources for the students that will be needed during the training,” he added.