The Arunachal Pradesh State Artisans and Weavers Cooperative Federation, ltd. in short Arunachal Weavers Federation, ltd. were registered under the AP Cooperative Societies Registration Act, 1978 (Act No 3 1979), Rule therein bearing Govt. Registration No. Coop (Org) 262/2012 Dtd 24th April 2012. There are 32 primary weavers cooperative societies who are the member societies with 1800 professional weavers, 3180 nominal weavers and 36 SHGs affiliated to it.
The affair of the federation is managed by the Board of Director consist of 9 members. The Government nominee comprise of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Director Textile & Handicraft, Director Industries, Chief Executive Officer Village and Khadi Board, Managing Director A.P Co.op. Apex Bank, ltd. The other Four (4) members are made up of representative of primary weavers Cooperatives Societies duly elected/selected by members’ societies. At present Smt. Hage Yasung, former Member of A.P State Commission for Women & Child Protection, Govt. of A.P and Smti Radha Naji is the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson respectively. Besides, Smti Yama T. Tarak and Smti. Haj Yakang is Board of Director Members. There are regular AGM and Board meeting conducted as per provision of Bye-Laws. The Last Annual General Body meeting was conducted on 18th June 2019 at District Conference Hall, Ziro. And the last Board of Director meeting was conducted on 07 May 2019.
Achievement
- Best handloom Promoting Society Award during Independence Day celebration 2019. Award was conferred by district administration, Ziro Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh.
- “Excellence Award “ was conferred to AWFED during conduct of “ India International Cooperative Trade fair,2019” by National Cooperative Development Corporation , Ministry of Agricultural and Farmers welfare , GOI, at New Delhi, Pragati Maidan.
Conversation with Mr. Gyati Kobing, Managing Director of Arunachal Pradesh State Weavers Co-operative Federation Ltd during International Sourcing Expo, Melbourne, Australia.
International Market Exposure
This is a federal state level Cooperative organization registered back in 2012. Since inception, we are promoting the handloom and handicraft products of all tribes of Arunachal in the state, the North east region and in the nation. This is the second time that we are here at the international level next to Lexington, USA. We have participated in this International Sourcing Expo for promoting handloom exports. Coming here has been an awesome experience. We see a lot of potential and scope in Australia because many retailers, Company, Designers and Proprietor approached us and gave their cards. They appreciated our handloom patterns motifs and designs for originality and hand woven. They assured us that they will be visiting our place and interact with our weavers so that more product can be exported to Australia and New Zealand. Our potential buyers are from Singapore, Taiwan Australia and USA.
Our fundamental purpose behind this is to promote our rich handloom culture which includes very fine, intricate and beautiful designs which we inherit from our ancestral fore fathers. We expect to be among the other top international handloom producers. Once our production and export goes well, our weavers can have a good price.
Coming to Australia, I think we have a lot of potential and scope and we hope that customers approach us and we look forward to achieving all our goals.
We export our products to the market in Singapore & USA etc. We also have memoranda of understanding signed with the Indian Fashion Trade in California West, USA and we will be supplying to them too.
Products
The product that we have displayed is about the handloom garments, home furnishing and decorative items. The price range is low as the product is made by poor weavers from rural areas. It is completely hand woven and no power looms are used. Even though it is a laborious task, we have kept the price low so that any customers who are interested in buying the product can easily afford. Our natural handloom has been practiced from generations in the local level. AWFED brought these from the rural level to the state level, then to the national and now International level.
We have participated many times at the national level. Right now, we are also supplying our products to the Indian railways through the Apex Corporations and Handloom Association, Ministry of textiles, Government of India. Our product supply ranges from 21.2 crore supplies to the Ministry of textiles.
Gyati Kobing DRCS Cum Managing Director Of A.P.State Wevers Co.Op.Federation Ltd.
Achievement
- ICDP (Integrated cooperative development project) Incentive Award, 2008.
- Sincere & Dedicated officer Award During Independence Day Celebration,2010.By District Administration, Daporijo Upper Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh.
- “State Commendation Certificate Award” 2019 Was Conferred During Independence Day, 2019.
- “Mahatma Gandhi Sanman” Award Of Excellence By Iconic Achievers Council Of India ,2019, New Delhi.
