With new spinning groups in Bihar and Jharkhand, the social enterprise strengthens its mission to create dignified livelihoods and halt seasonal migration

To boost rural women’s livelihoods, Ecotasar, a social enterprise championing sustainable silk yarn production, has started three new spinning groups across Bihar and Jharkhand. The initiative supports 85 women from Banka and Dumka districts, marking a critical milestone in Ecotasar’s mission to empower 2,000 women by 2026.

The virtual unveiling was led by Day Kornbluth, President, West Elm, the US-based home goods retailer that has partnered with Ecotasar for over a decade.

Currently, Ecotasar supports 461 women in Bihar and Jharkhand, and over 800 artisans in Assam, who produce eco-friendly, hand-spun Eri silk yarn. The 2025–26 expansion, in collaboration with the Tribal and Rural Development Foundation (TRDF) and supported by PRADAN through an EU-funded grant, will onboard an additional 700 women.

“Our mission is rooted in the belief that income opportunities must be brought to where women live—not the other way around,” said Khitish Pandya, Founder of Ecotasar. “Silk yarn production provides not only a livelihood but also a sense of dignity, autonomy, and the power to shape one’s own future.”

The newly formed groups include 35 women from Bounsi Block (Banka) and 50 women from Dumka villages. Participants receive free spinning equipment and training, enabling them to earn a steady part-time income from home while avoiding the challenges of seasonal migration.

Each artisan earns between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 per month, with a guaranteed buyback system ensuring steady market access and income. The initiative builds resilience by weaving together skill development, production infrastructure, and long-term market linkages.

“We are truly grateful to Day Kornbluth and the entire West Elm team for their unwavering partnership,” said Pandya. “Since 2008, they have supported the women behind these textiles—women from some of India’s most underserved communities.”

With a model rooted in inclusion, sustainability, and local empowerment, Ecotasar is proving that small-scale rural entrepreneurship can generate not just income, but lasting transformation—one spindle at a time.