Orissa aims to produce 25 per cent more textile and handloom products than last year. While 16 districts are producing textile and handloom products, 34,086 looms out of 40,164 are active. Since only 21,760 looms were operating last year, 3,000 more looms will be activated to achieve the target for the year.

Producing zones are: Boudh, Bargarh, Cuttack, Athagarh, Khurda, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Koraput, among others. Last year none of the zones made 100 per cent achievements except Baripada while Bargarh and Balasore zones achieved more than 90 per cent of their target. Athagarh, Khurda, Patnagarh, Dhenkanal, Sundargarh, Kalahandi and Koraput could produce less than 60 per cent of the target.

Of the 90.55 lakh sq mt target set last year, achievement was nearly 71.54 per cent. The number of working looms came down from 22,824 to 21,760. Several welfare schemes have been formulated for socio-economic development of weavers. Strategies will be formulated to strengthen the production system and provide regular employment to weavers working under the cooperative fold.

Boudh zone has been asked to activate 400 looms and Athagarh, Bargarh and Sonepur zones have been directed to operate 300 looms more to help achieve the overall target.