1. Andhra Pradesh has the second largest number of handlooms in the country, next to West Bengal. 

2. Handloom weavers are facing a serious problem. 

3. They face stiff competition from power loom and mill made cloth. 

4. Mill made cloth is cheaper. It is made from synthetic yarn which costs much less than cotton or silk. 

5. Even though it is popular due to its high quality and unique beauty, the Dharmavaram saree seems to be expensive. But the weavers are not getting rate due to middlemen’s involvement. 

6. Fashions in the cities change fast. It is difficult for the weavers to know which designs are in demand. 

7. They also have to depend on middlemen for getting raw materials like cotton or silk yarn. 

8. Thus middlemen have a good position and are getting the largest share than weavers. 

9. Co-operative societies do not provide opportunities for weavers to produce sarees to suit the changing preferences of consumers. 

10. This has once again pushed the weavers into the clutches of the middlemen and traders.