Technology plays a key role in industrial development. Identifying and transferring appropriate technology has always being a challenging process in inclusive and equitable industrial development.
The handloom industry has been a sector that provided direct livelihood options for a large number of women in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka while creating several indirect livelihood options as well. They have been using the traditional handloom machines for their production process. However. These traditional machines are not highly efficient and created a bottleneck to be competitive in the market while generating adequate income.
Janathakshan got the opportunity to support the process of enhancing the efficiency and profitability of the handloom industry through transferring power-loom technology to revive the loom industry in the Northern Province. Janathakshan worked with the Provincial Department of Industries to upgrade four handloom centers with power- loom technology and build local capacities in sustainable use oftechnology and machinery. A relevant capacity-building process has been carried out by Janathakshan through a handholding process. This has created new direct and indirect employment opportunities for women, especially youth within the sector. It also contributed towards the circular economy as the linen requirement of the provincial health sector is being catered through the new power loom centers.