Why Buy Handmade?
In a rapidly industrializing world, the choice between handmade and mass-produced products reflects a deeper consideration of sustainability, quality, and cultural preservation. For India—a country rich in heritage and craft traditions—supporting handmade products has far-reaching economic, social, and environmental implications. Economic Empowerment and Employment India’s handicraft sector is a significant employer, directly supporting over 7 million artisans , many of whom belong to rural and marginalized communities (Ministry of Textiles, 2022). This sector plays a crucial role in empowering women with nearly 56% of artisans being female. By purchasing handmade products, consumers directly contribute to artisans’ livelihoods, fostering economic self-reliance and reducing poverty. Government schemes like the Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana and Cluster Development Programs have been launched to support and sustain handicrafts. However, consumer...