QR codes in fabric to carry info on Meghalaya’s handloom products
Umden: In an innovative step, QR Codes will now be woven into fabric to carry information about the authenticity of the unique handloom products of Meghalaya in general and the Eri Silk Village in particular.
On Friday, Meghalaya’s Department of Textiles in collaboration with the North East Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation (NEHHDC) launched a pilot project on “Digitalization of Handloom” products at the Umden – Diwon Eri Silk village in Ri-Bhoi district.
The NEHHDC has introduced IoT (Internet of Things) device in handlooms that will generate QR codes on the handloom products of the northeast with a target of benefiting 10,000 active looms in the region, facilitating efficient traceability and empowering consumers with information about the product’s origin and authenticity.
Speaking at the launch of the pilot project, Commissioner and Secretary, Textiles, Frederick Roy Kharkongor underscored the urgent need and importance of blending technology and tradition, right from Loom to Home and from Thread to Trend.
He said the IOT device in local handlooms that will generate QR Codes, which will contribute towards facilitating efficient traceability, and empower customers with the knowledge of the product origin.
“This traceability will contribute towards authenticity as it will capture the product’s journey right from farm to fibre, fibre to fabric and fabric to fashion,” he said.
Moreover, he said that weavers and the local designers would also stand to benefit through the digital traceability enabled by technology.
“The weavers would be in a position to charge a higher premium for their artistically designed hand-woven products, which are known the world over as being natural, eco-friendly and gender driven,” Kharkongor said.
Welcoming the technology driven collaboration with the Department of Textiles, Managing Director of NEHHDC R.K Singh said that the NEHHDC will further adopt another 500 weavers in Meghalaya with a focus on the Silk.
