Amazon India Partners with Odisha Government to Onboard 1.3 Lakh+ Weavers and Artisans

Amazon India has partnered with the Directorate of Textiles, Government of Odisha, to onboard more than 1.3 lakh weavers and artisans from the state onto its e-commerce platform through the Amazon Karigar programme. Announced on National Handloom Day, the partnership aims to strengthen market access for Odisha’s handloom community by enabling eligible artisans to sell their products directly to customers across India.

Under the collaboration, artisans referred by the Directorate of Textiles will receive support throughout their digital commerce journey, including seller onboarding, training, account management, product photography, cataloguing and marketing. By providing access to Amazon’s online marketplace, the initiative is designed to help traditional artisans reach a significantly wider customer base while creating new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

The partnership will also bring greater visibility to Odisha’s rich handloom heritage by showcasing nine GI-tagged products. These include Sambalpuri Bandha, Orissa Ikat, Khandua, Bomkai, Gopalpur Tussar, Berhampur Patta, Kotpad Handloom, Habaspuri and Dhalapathar fabrics. The move will help connect these region-specific crafts with consumers across India while preserving and promoting traditional weaving practices.

The initiative builds on Amazon India’s broader efforts through Amazon Karigar to help artisans, weavers and local businesses leverage e-commerce. For Odisha’s artisan community, the partnership represents an opportunity to move beyond traditional local markets and exhibitions, using digital commerce to expand reach, improve product visibility and connect directly with consumers nationwide.

As India’s e-commerce ecosystem continues to expand, initiatives such as this highlight the potential of technology to support traditional industries and local entrepreneurship. Amazon’s collaboration with the Odisha government could play an important role in bringing the state’s distinctive handloom heritage to a larger audience while supporting the economic sustainability of its artisan communities.