Amazon India has signed an MoU with the Directorate of Textiles, Government of Odisha, to bring more than 1.30 lakh weavers and artisans from the state onto its ecommerce platform.
The agreement, signed on National Handloom Day, will enable eligible weavers and artisans referred by the Directorate of Textiles to join Amazon Karigar, Amazon India’s programme for artisans and weavers selling handmade products online.
The initiative will give participating sellers access to customers across India and a platform to sell Odisha’s traditional handloom products. This includes nine GI tagged products from the state, such as Sambalpuri Bandha, Orissa Ikat, Khandua, Bomkai, Gopalpur Tussar, Berhampur Patta, Kotpad Handloom, Habaspuri and Dhalapathar fabrics.
Amazon will also provide support for seller onboarding, training, initial account management, product imaging and cataloguing, along with marketing assistance.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, Directorate of Textiles Director Surya Patnaik and Commissioner cum Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar.
The agreement expands Amazon India’s existing efforts to bring artisans, weavers and other local businesses onto ecommerce platforms.
The Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, said, “Odisha’s handloom tradition is an integral part of the state’s cultural identity and provides livelihoods to thousands of artisans and weaving families. Through this collaboration with Amazon Karigar, we are creating new opportunities for our handloom institutions to leverage ecommerce while preserving the authenticity and heritage of Odisha’s handloom products.”
He further added, “We believe this collaboration will help expand market access for our weavers and enable more customers across India to disfcover the craftsmanship that Odisha is known for.”
Aruna Daryanani, Director – Sales, Seller Success & Marketing, Amazon India said, “India’s artisans and weavers represent a rich legacy of craftsmanship, and we are committed to helping them access customers across the country. Through Amazon Karigar, we have empowered lakhs of artisans and weavers across India, working with government bodies and artisan communities to preserve traditional crafts while enabling sustainable livelihoods through ecommerce.”
She further added, “Our collaboration with the Directorate of Textiles, Government of Odisha builds on this commitment and will help bring authentic Odisha handloom products to customers across India through Amazon.in.”
FAQs
- What is an MoU?
An MoU, or Memorandum of Understanding, is a formal agreement between two or more parties that outlines their intent to work together on a specific initiative.
- What is Amazon India’s MoU with Odisha Government about?
Amazon India has signed an MoU with Odisha’s Directorate of Textiles to bring more than 1.30 lakh weavers and artisans onto ecommerce.
- What is Amazon Karigar?
Amazon Karigar is a programme that helps artisans and weavers sell their handmade products online through Amazon.
- How will Odisha weavers benefit from this partnership?
Eligible weavers and artisans will get support to onboard, list and sell their products online to customers across India.
- Which Odisha handloom products will be available online?
The initiative covers GI tagged products including Sambalpuri Bandha, Orissa Ikat, Khandua, Bomkai, Gopalpur Tussar and other traditional handlooms.
