Artisans go online to boost sales
The traditional artisans were successful in boosting sales by 25 per cent for their products through online. Realising the potential of the online marketing, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has been extending the marketing support to artisans engaged in making the 23 varieties of traditional handicrafts in the district.
Tirupati: The traditional artisans were successful in boosting sales by 25 per cent for their products through online. Realising the potential of the online marketing, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has been extending the marketing support to artisans engaged in making the 23 varieties of traditional handicrafts in the district.
Highlights:
- Sales increased by 25% after signing of the MoU with e-commerce major Flipcart
- Recently, WhatsApp number was introduced to receive orders through mobile
- DRDA initiative of assisting artisans to sell products online has benefitted one lakh-odd families
The DRDA had assisted artisans to sell their wide variety of products through online by entering into an understanding with e-commerce major Flipcart last year. The Flipcart had given access to artisans to display their handicrafts on website and receive orders for the same from all over the globe. This was evident with business increasing year after year. About one lakh artisan families were benefitted with the initiative.
The long list of handicrafts being covered under the online marketing include Kalamkari articles of Srikalahasti, traditional wood carving items of Madhavamala, wooden lacquerware toys, dolls and utility articles from Karlapudi village of KVB Puram mandal, Terracotta irresistible ethnic pottery articles from Gantavuru and Kantevaripalli, shell and handmade paper toys made by urban SHGs of of Anandanilyam in Tirupati and beadworks from Papanaidupeta are available through online.
An outlet by name ‘Rural Handicrafts Centre’ was set up in 2010 at the premises of AP Tourism Complex, 3 km from the temple town of Srikalahasti on Tirupati-Nellore highway came handy for the artisans in opting the online marketing as an added technique to increase their sales. Recently, the popular WhatsApp number 9676640303 was also introduced for receiving orders for handicrafts which has created a new hype and trend in rural handicraft business.
It has been taken up with resounding success confirming the entrepreneurial capabilities of artisans in the district. Speaking to The Hans India, SKH Rural Handicraft Centre in-charge Madhavilatha said the new marketing techniques are promoting rural handicrafts in a big way. “We have been achieving an annual business Rs 1.1 crore for the last five years.
It is the highest annual turnover of handicrafts in the recent times in Chittoor district,” she added. SHG leader and artisan M Rangamma said that business had increased by 25 per cent per annum as there was tremendous response from online buyers for handicrafts.
“We are giving 10 per cent commission for orders received online,” she said exuding confidence that the handicrafts sale will increase further with the online marketing gaining momentum.
By K Nethaji
