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Context

• The Narasapur crochet lace craft, renowned in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, has been granted the Geographical Indications (GI) tag by the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Details

• This recognition aims to revitalize the dwindling craft and provide a boost to its demand, particularly in the face of competition from machine-made lace products from China.

Geographic Scope

• The GI tag specifies that the Narasapur crochet lace craft is geographically limited to 19 mandals in West Godavari and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts in the Godavari region.
• Major trade points for lace products include Narsapur, Palacole, Razole, and Amalapuram, where approximately 15,000 women are directly involved in producing garments, home furnishings, and accessories.

Collaborative Efforts

• The West Godavari District Alankriti Lace Manufacturing Mahila Mutual Aided Co-operative Societies’ Federation Limited, along with other associations like the All India Crochet Lace Exporters Association and Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, collectively applied for the GI tag.
• These organizations aim to leverage the GI tag to revive the craft and stimulate foreign trade, particularly amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and competition from machine-made lace products.
• Despite the rich tradition of the Narasapur crochet lace craft, the market has faced significant challenges, including a lack of new orders and competition from China's machine-made lace products.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, leading to a decline in regular production and the paralysis of the craft market in the region.

Historical Context

• The origin of the craft dates back to 1844 when Macrae and his wife from Scotland taught the lace-making technique to local women associated with a Christian missionary at Dummugudem, present-day Telangana.
• Despite facing adversities such as the Indian famine in 1899 and the Great Depression in 1929, the craft survived and thrived, with over 2,000 women involved in the early 1900s.

GI Tags in Andhra Pradesh

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