The Indian Chamber of Commerce and ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, supported by the Central Wool Development Board, is organising a week-long Woolen Expo in Guwahati.
Various woolen items – yarns, winter wear for women, men and children, carpets and others – will be showcased by traders and producers from across the country, particularly from the North East.
The main objective of the exhibition is to showcase and promote the various woollen products in the markets of the region and encourage the weavers to market their products, said A Sahoo, Director, National Research Centre for Camel, who was present as the chief guest. The North East as such does not produce wool but the demand for woolen products is huge because the region is composed mainly of hilly states where the duration of winter is comparatively longer than other parts of India, said GS Bhatti, Executive Director, Central Wool Development Board.
For example, in states like Meghalaya, Nagaland (mainly Kohima), Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim, winter lasts longer.
DB Shakyawar, Director of ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata, said that the Central Wool Development Board has given this opportunity to the artisans so that they can develop their woolen products. The demand for raw wool is also very high from the weaver’s point of view.
Traditional handloom weaving is practised as a household industry in the North East, where, apart from mulberry and other non-mulberry fibres, wool is also used. This expo can play a major role in preventing the middleman’s role in purchasing wool.
