The ‘Qasab’ case is designed to teach students about the characteristics of social entrepreneurship and the impact it has on the society. It also describes how sustainable development and social in...

Qasab: Kutch Craftswomen’s Producer Co. Ltd.

A significant portion of export earnings in India – estimated at US$2.9 billion in 2004–2005 – comes from products such as curios, fashion accessories, household goods and leather footwear that are handcrafted by artisans in the informal economy. Traditionally, the production of any handcrafted product involves a whole family, with women and men performing different operations in the production process and with men managing markets and finance. Generally, traders control the producers, who fall into debt traps by borrowing from them and are then compelled to produce for a particular trader who has lent them money and accept the minimum price that person offers. The vicious cycle of a trader-dependent market situation is perpetuated and the producer families get caught in a downward spiral.

Madhura Chatrapathy

Papers

Toehold in India: Women Artisans Exporting Leather Sandals