Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Madhya Pradesh Handloom Sales Surge 165% in Five Years
Today is National Handloom Day in India.
A handloom is a machine people use to weave cloth by hand.
In the state of Madhya Pradesh, people have been buying lots of handloom clothes, especially saris.
Five years ago, sales of these products were about Rs 17 crore.
This year, sales reached a record Rs 45 crore, which is almost 165% more.
The most popular weaves are Chanderi and Maheshwari saris.
The government helped by promoting these weaves through the One District One Product scheme.
The state also wants to start its own website to sell the products online.
But a weaver named Pradeep Koli says weavers only earn about Rs 400 to Rs 450 a day, which is not enough.
He is asking the government to pay weavers more for their work.
Madhya Pradesh handloom product sales jumped nearly 165% in five years, from about Rs 17 crore to a record Rs 45 crore in 2025-26.
Around Rs 25 crore of the total handloom sales went directly to weavers.
Chanderi saris were the top seller at about Rs 25 crore, followed by Maheshwari saris and dress material at about Rs 12 crore.
The state plans to launch its own website to sell handloom products online instead of depending on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.
Weaver Pradeep Koli said wages remain stagnant, with weavers earning Rs 400-450 a day, and urged the government to increase labour charges by 20-25%.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh's cottage and village industries department, led by commissioner Madan Bibhishan Nagargoje, and handloom weavers such as Pradeep Koli.
- What
- Sales of Madhya Pradesh handloom products surged nearly 165% over five years, reaching a record Rs 45 crore in 2025-26.
- When
- Reported on National Handloom Day; figures compare the last five years up to 2025-26.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh, India, particularly the Chanderi and Maheshwari weaving centres; the report is datelined Bhopal.
- Why
- Demand for Chanderi and Maheshwari weaves grew, supported by the One District One Product scheme, fairs, and direct marketing by weavers, though weavers say their wages have not kept pace with sales.
- Event
- National Handloom Day
- Sales growth (5 years)
- Nearly 165%
- Sales five years ago
- About Rs 17 crore
- Sales in 2025-26
- Rs 45 crore (record)
- Share paid to weavers
- About Rs 25 crore
- Top-selling product
- Chanderi saris (about Rs 25 crore)
- Second best-selling product
- Maheshwari saris and dress material (about Rs 12 crore)
- Promotion scheme
- One District One Product (ODOP)