The Biz Reporter
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 21:
Kashmir’s centuries-old Namda craft has received a major boost with the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir awarding a contract for the Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning (SITC) of card cloth for a wool carding machine through the Mechanical & Hospitals Engineering Department.
The newly commissioned wool carding machine has an annual processing capacity of around 29,000 kilograms of wool, a development expected to significantly strengthen the local value chain of the traditional Namda craft. By enabling in-house wool carding, the facility will substantially reduce the dependence on outsourcing, thereby cutting costs and delays that have long affected Namda artisans.
In a press statement issued today, Deputy Director UNDP, Mirza Shahid Ali, said that Jammu and Kashmir is the second-largest producer of wool fibre in India and ranks first in the production of Merino wool. Despite this advantage, a large portion of raw wool has historically been sent outside the Union Territory for carding, leading to higher production costs and logistical challenges.
“This initiative is cost-effective, efficient, and less labour-intensive. It will play a major role in strengthening sustainable livelihoods, enhancing productivity, and preserving Kashmir’s rich handicraft heritage, especially Namda, which is currently in a revival phase,” he said.
The Department of Handicrafts & Handloom reiterated its commitment to providing modern infrastructure and technical support to traditional crafts, ensuring their revival, long-term sustainability, and enhanced competitiveness in national and global markets.
