Baghara Traditional Dress Making Co-operative society Empowers Women Weavers

The Baghara Traditional Dress Making Society, in Morigaon district of Assam, a thriving initiative under the SFURTI scheme, has become a beacon of hope for 500 women weavers in Assam.

“Trained by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), these women have harnessed the power of natural dyes derived from fresh flowers, vegetables, and xilikha, applying them to Eri silk to create stunning traditional attire” the Joint Director of Ministry of Industries and Commerce Manju Rani Gogoi said to Business North East.

Under the SFURTI scheme, which aims to make traditional industries more competitive, productive, and profitable, the society has received numerous weaving machines, significantly boosting their production capacity. This support includes a Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Baghara and two mini CFCs in Sarai Xagi and Tengaguri, each equipped with four looms.

The society's infrastructure is robust, featuring:

- Single Looms: 9
- Jacquard Machines: 60
- Spinning Machines: 25
- Tailoring Machines: 128
- Calendaring Machine: 1

Since the production began in earnest in 2022, the society has focused on generating employment and profits. Some women even continue their weaving work from home, contributing to the overall output. The industry operates with four main units: rearing, weaving, cutting and tailoring, and embroidery, all strictly using natural dyes, with no chemical dyes involved.

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has been instrumental in supporting these efforts, with the Industry and Commerce Department also playing a key role by facilitating natural dye-making training in 2017. Officers from the District Industries and Commerce Centre (DICC) have provided substantial support.

The society's achievements extend to participating in exhibitions, such as the India International Development Fair (IIDF) last year, where they showcased their diverse range of products. This exposure has further highlighted their craftsmanship and the benefits of natural dyes.

With a minimum of 500 beneficiaries, the Baghora Traditional Dress Making Society continues to inspire and uplift the community, making significant strides in preserving and promoting traditional Assamese textiles.