Agartala, Oct 5: A new institutional partnership between the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee is set to bring technology, contemporary design and market-oriented practices into Tripura’s traditional handloom sector.
The two institutions signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a focus on improving the livelihoods and entrepreneurial prospects of women engaged in handloom weaving through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
The agreement was signed in the presence of Rural Development Department Secretary Abhishek Singh. TRLM CEO Tarit Kanti Chakma and Dr Bibhuti Ranjan Bhattacharjya, Assistant Professor in the Department of Design at IIT Roorkee, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.
The collaboration will initially cover around 500 women weavers from North Tripura, Unakoti and Dhalai districts.
As part of the initiative, traditional weaving practices will be combined with technological inputs, product design, quality improvement, entrepreneurship development and modern marketing techniques. The programme will explore the use of improved looms and tools, process automation and other appropriate technological solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Another key component will be knowledge and skill development. Weavers will receive support in areas such as contemporary design, quality standards, product diversification and sustainable production methods, aimed at helping them respond better to changing consumer preferences.
The partnership will also seek to improve the presentation and marketability of handloom products through branding and packaging initiatives. Alongside this, women-led enterprises will be encouraged through training in business creation, enterprise management and other aspects of entrepreneurship.
Digital literacy, e-commerce and exposure to contemporary markets will form an important part of the programme, enabling SHG-based producers to explore wider avenues for selling their products.
The initiative is expected to create a stronger link between Tripura’s traditional weaving heritage and modern enterprise models. By combining the skills of local women artisans with technical and design expertise from IIT Roorkee, the partnership aims to make handloom-based livelihoods more productive, competitive and sustainable.
The collaboration is also expected to contribute to strengthening the handloom value chain in the state while creating greater opportunities for women to participate in and benefit from the growing market for value-added traditional products.